The Indo-Pacific region’s increasing interconnectedness is reflected in the steady expansion of its digital sector, which has resulted in heightened connectivity among states. While there are advantages to a digitalized community, the Indo-Pacific continues to face security risks in cyberspace. Cyberattacks, cyber espionage, and other illicit digital activities have put states at risk and undermined their cybersecurity capabilities. Cybersecurity threats have compelled states to realign their strategic interests and strengthen their cyber capabilities in order to address these risks. Read More

If you really want to get to know an economy, one of the first numbers you look at is jobs. Do people have a regular source of income, which they can use to buy their basic needs? How many people are out of a job and could be contributing more to the economy if only they had one? Read More

Cautious optimism is the phrase that came to mind as I listened to an online public forum that evaluated the first 100 days of the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Organized by think-tank Stratbase ADR Institute, together with advocacy group Democracy Watch Philippines which opened with its president Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit aptly setting the context and the people’s expectations of the Marcos’ administration’s daunting challenge of addressing social inequality, poverty, unemployment, inflation, corruption, digital gap, climate change, to traditional security risks. Read More

Filipinos appreciate what the private sector has done, is doing, and how big its role is in driving economic prosperity. The latest Pulse Asia survey commissioned by our organization, the Stratbase ADR Institute, revealed that almost nine in 10 Filipinos agree that the private sector plays a crucial role in accelerating economic growth, and that the government and the private sector should engage in partnership to sustain the country’s recovery. Read More

A Philippine president’s six-year term is composed of 2,190 days. Still, we assign great importance to the first 100 days, even though it is a fraction of the total number, because of several reasons: The initial period gives us an initial impression of what the entire presidency might be like, and a preview of the things it deems important. It gives us a taste of a particular president’s brand of leadership, and an idea of what to expect for the remainder of his term. We get a sense of whether we should brace ourselves for a difficult ride, or rest assured that our country — even if beset by many problems — is under sound stewardship. Read More

The Philippines slipped seven spots in the International Institute for Management Development’s (IMD) 2021 World Competitiveness Report. We placed 52nd out of 64 countries in 2021, down from 45th the previous year.

It was the steepest decline in Asia. Read More

The first 100 days of any president elected into office is worth watching, as this can serve as a snapshot of how the leader will govern during his term. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. had early on made headlines worldwide when he won the May 2022 National Elections. The political environment has become more interesting and inviting as the new administration pronounces sound fiscal management, good governance, food security, not giving an inch of Philippine territory, and all-inclusive recovery. Read More