Stratbase Institute President and CEO Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit attended the Bastille Day celebration upon the invitation of the Ambassador of France to the Philippines, H.E. Marie Fontanel. In her remarks, Ambassador Fontanel highlighted the deepening relations between France and the Philippines. She underscored the significance of the signing of the Status of Visiting… Read More

During his opening remarks at the Stratbase Institute Conference, “A Decade of the Arbitral Award: Credible Deterrence in Defense of the West Philippine Sea,” held on July 10, 2026, at The Peninsula Manila, Stratbase Institute President Prof. Dindo Manhit presented a video montage honoring the friends and partners who have supported the 2016 Arbitral Award through the years.  The tribute highlighted the collective… Read More

The high-level conference wrapped up with a panel on promoting a whole-of-society approach to defending the West Philippine Sea, moderated by Ms. Jannette Arceo. Speakers included Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of Kalookan and former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines; Hon. Beltsazar Alindogan, Municipal Mayor of Kalayaan, Palawan; RADM Jay Tarriela, Spokesperson for… Read More

The afternoon session, “Strengthening Defense Cooperation Among Like-Minded States,” highlighted how the Philippines’ expanding network of defense partnerships with like-minded states is crucial to securing the West Philippine Sea. It underscored how these partnerships, demonstrated through joint exercises, support for defense modernization, and enhanced maritime domain awareness, contribute to building credible deterrence and advancing shared commitments to… Read More

Since 2016, the Stratbase Institute has worked to ensure that the Arbitral Award remains central to national and regional discourse, even during periods when advancing this cause was particularly challenging and few were willing to do so.  As part of its continuing advocacy, the Institute convened yesterday a high-level forum entitled “A Decade of the Arbitral Award: Credible Deterrence in Defense of the West… Read More

Stratbase Institute President and CEO Prof. Dindo Manhit, together with Stratbase Group COO Mr. RP Manhit, met with Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs SHIMADA Tomoaki, a member of the House of Representatives from the Liberal Democratic Party, for a dinner meeting at New World Makati.  The dinner was also attended by Stratbase Institute Non-Resident Fellows RADM Rommel Jude G. Ong… Read More

Stratbase Institute President and CEO Prof. Dindo Manhit participated as a panelist in the National West Philippine Sea Summit at Conrad Manila during the discussion, “Reconciling National Security and Foreign Policy.”  The panel explored how diplomacy, defense, national security, and public communication can work together more effectively to protect the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine… Read More