Stratbase

26/07/2026

RP Manhit, COO of The Stratbase Group, writes on Philstar.com:

“The Marcos Jr. administration has two years remaining to make a lasting mark on the economy and consequently on the people’s quality of life. Smoothening the flow of entry and exit of goods in the port is a quick win since there are already reliable port operators in the country. Modernizing our ports are useless if there are business importers abusing the regulated storage fees of the port operators. We truly hope that the President, when he addresses the nation on Monday, would talk about how the country has much to look forward to in terms of modernizing our ports, enabling the smoother flow of trade, and making our supply chains more resilient to external shocks.

Ultimately, these will have a profound and lasting effect on the economy and provide greater opportunities to improve the lives of Filipino families.”

Speeches are known to be grandiose and vague, consisting of sweeping claims and feel-good pronouncements. But a good speech will stand out for its ability to balance broad concerns with concrete details, without getting stuck in either generalities or minutiae.

25/07/2026

Prof. Dindo Manhit, Founder and CEO of the Stratbase Group, writes on his regular column in INQUIRER.net:

“A Stratbase-commissioned question conducted from June 28 to July 3 and July 6 actually reveals what the people want the national government to do. Thirty percent of Filipinos are asking for more affordable food prices especially for rice, meat, and fish while 28 percent are also asking for more livelihood and job opportunities. But what is more interesting is the 28 percent that are asking for the elimination of corruption so the government can provide better services to the Filipino people.

The results show that these concerns are closely connected. Addressing high food prices and creating more livelihood opportunities require a government that uses public resources effectively and remains accountable to its citizens. They need to be assured that something is being done by their government in ensuring that their taxes go into worthy pursuits, instead of lining the pockets of officials, with transactions veiled in secrecy.”

A Sona that is truly for the people https://opinion.inquirer.net/193327/a-sona-that-is-truly-for-the-people

25/07/2026

Prof. Dindo Manhit, Founder and CEO of the Stratbase Group, writes on his regular column in INQUIRER.net:

“A Stratbase-commissioned question conducted from June 28 to July 3 and July 6 actually reveals what the people want the national government to do. Thirty percent of Filipinos are asking for more affordable food prices especially for rice, meat, and fish while 28 percent are also asking for more livelihood and job opportunities. But what is more interesting is the 28 percent that are asking for the elimination of corruption so the government can provide better services to the Filipino people.

The results show that these concerns are closely connected. Addressing high food prices and creating more livelihood opportunities require a government that uses public resources effectively and remains accountable to its citizens. They need to be assured that something is being done by their government in ensuring that their taxes go into worthy pursuits, instead of lining the pockets of officials, with transactions veiled in secrecy.”

https://opinion.inquirer.net/193327/a-sona-that-is-truly-for-the-people

Every fourth Monday of July, Filipinos expect the chief executive to deliver the State of the Nation Address (Sona) and hope he would talk about the things that truly matter to them. Last year’s

25/07/2026

Stratbase Group President Victor Andres Manhit said the results indicate that Filipinos now expect the government to go beyond stabilizing prices.

​"The message from Filipinos is remarkably consistent. They want government to sustain efforts to keep food affordable, but they are also demanding stronger action against corruption and more opportunities for decent jobs. These are no longer separate concerns but interconnected expectations of effective governance," Manhit said

​KEEPING food affordable remains the top priority of Filipinos, but more people are urging the government for job creation and stronger anti-corruption efforts, the latest Pulse Asia survey commissioned by the Stratbase Group showed.

25/07/2026

The Philippines–United States alliance has become one of the country's most enduring bilateral partnerships and a critical pillar of regional peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific. Anchored on the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and strengthened through defense cooperation, joint military exercises, and enduring people-to-people ties, PH-US ties continues to evolve in response to an increasingly complex geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape. As the Indo-Pacific faces emerging security challenges, sustained dialogue among like-minded partners and allies remains essential to advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific, strengthening credible deterrence, enhancing interoperability, and upholding a rules-based international order.

In line with this, the Stratbase Institute will hold a high-level discussion with United States Under Secretary of War Elbridge Colby on 10 August 2026 (Monday) from 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM (PHT). This discussion is part of his visit to the Philippines which aims to further strengthen Philippines–United States defense relations amid the evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

24/07/2026

Yesterday, Stratbase Group Founder and CEO Prof. Dindo Manhit joined a private discussion with H.E. Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, upon the invitation of H.E. Massimo Santoro, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines. The meeting was held at the office of the EU Delegation to the Philippines in Makati City.

Prof. Manhit shared his insights on the Philippines’ current economic landscape, investment climate, and recent legislative reforms that have opened more opportunities for strategic investments. H.E. Kallas, meanwhile, expressed optimism about the future of EU–Philippines trade relations, particularly the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement between the European Union and the Philippines.

Stratbase remains committed to supporting stronger trade relations between like-minded economic partners, including the European Union.

23/07/2026

This morning, upon the invitation of H.E. Marc Innes-Brown, Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines, Stratbase Group Founder and CEO Prof. Dindo Manhit attended the foreign policy address of Senator the Honourable Penny Wong, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, at De La Salle University Manila.

Minister Wong underscored the historic strength of Australia–Philippines relations and the shared responsibility of both countries, as middle powers, to uphold international law, strengthen regional resilience, and help shape a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. She reaffirmed Australia’s support for ASEAN centrality, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

Stratbase remains committed to advancing stronger partnerships with Australia and other like-minded nations in promoting a rules-based regional order, safeguarding maritime security, and building a more resilient and secure future for the Indo-Pacific.

22/07/2026

This evening, Stratbase Group Founder and CEO Professor Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit was invited to a private roundtable discussion with Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson.

Together, they discussed the Philippines' defense, security, foreign, and economic policies.

Stratbase remains committed to promoting partnerships with like-minded countries such as Sweden, particularly as defense and economic cooperation between Sweden and the Philippines continues to grow, including Sweden's participation in the Luzon Economic Corridor.

22/07/2026

This afternoon, Stratbase Group Founder and CEO Prof. Dindo Manhit was visited by a delegation of think tanks from Ukraine to discuss the current geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific region and how Ukraine and the Philippines can work together to maintain a prosperous and peaceful region.

Led by by former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, the meeting was also joined by Dr. Hanna Shelest (Director of Security Studies and Global Outreach Programmes, Ukrainian Prism), Dr. Yevhen Hlibovytsky (Director, Frontier Institute), Mr. Victor Liakh (President, East Europe Foundation), as well as officers from the CMI — Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation.

In a separate meeting later in the afternoon, he was also visited by Mr. Anton Tabur, Head of International Partnerships at the Ukrainian Council of Defense Industry (UCDI). UCDI is Ukraine’s largest association of private defense manufacturers. They consolidate private arms and military equipment manufacturers to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities, achieve technological independence, and integrate into the global security system.

22/07/2026

Equip our students to face a technology driven world

The Philippines’ attainment of Upper Middle-Income status this year is indeed an encouraging milestone and should be the impetus to do better in pushing for digital infrastructure in support of the better delivery of education services. It is an urgent signal to stakeholders in the education sector to work more closely together to prepare the current and next generation of Filipinos to thrive in the digital age.

There have been significant developments in the national push for digital infrastructure. The private sector has been instrumental in helping the government move closer to its connectivity targets, and in ensuring that all parts of the archipelago are able to partake of the benefits of a digitally capable economy.

Now that we have moved up in terms of gross national income per capita, there is an even greater urgency to align our education system with the fast-evolving demand for a digital ready workforce. Technology has enabled great changes in the substance and manner of our teaching. There are tools available that can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of traditional learning methods.

Most of all, we must equip students for a future shaped by technology. This means enabling them not only to use available digital tools, but also to continually upgrade their skills and adapt to the changing demands of the global digital economy. To achieve this, government, the private sector, and other stakeholders must ensure that education reform advances in step with the country’s broader digital transformation.