Dindo Manhit, President, Stratbase ADR Institute The COVID-19 pandemic has dampened the traditional holiday season in the Philippines. This year, the celebration will not be as festive due to the ban on mass gatherings and reunions. Despite the decline in the number of daily confirmed infection cases over the past weeks, the Philippines still ranks… Read More

One of the most significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is the sudden acceleration in the use of digital technologies. The reality of mobility restrictions has created a surge in transactions using digital payment and remittance systems as the preferred means of financial transaction in this new normal. It is safe, efficient, has less operating… Read More

During a recent Public Briefing, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque thanked the two telecom companies for the improvements they have done towards improving their service. During the briefing, the telecommunications industry showed that it has made efforts to keep-up with the growing demands of Filipinos. For instance, Smart Communications President Mr. Al Panlilio said that over… Read More

Paco A. Pangalangan, Executive Director, Stratbase ADR Institute This week the United Nations (UN) observes two international days. The first is the International Anti-Corruption Day, observed on the 9th of December. Corruption, of course, affects all countries. It undermines democratic institutions and contributes to governmental instability by warping the rule of law, attacking election integrity,… Read More

International Anti-Corruption Day and International Human Rights Day hold special importance as these two concepts are central to supporting the rule of law and democracy –themselves crucial to our development as a nation in the new normal. The Philippine government’s response to COVID-19 has been characterized by the unchecked movement of large discretionary funds, creating… Read More

Paco A. Pangalangan, Executive Director, Stratbase ADR Institute As the year creeps slowly towards its end, it is an excellent time to look back and take stock of the challenges we have faced and the lessons we can take away from them. This year, many of the biggest challenges faced by Filipinos were brought by… Read More

As the world continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, it is apparent that the new economy is digital. The health crisis has accelerated digital transformation of society and its adoption to fintech capabilities. The Philippines has marked record-high transactions both in number and volume of fund transfers, payments and disbursements during the lockdown period. In… Read More