NEWS & ARTICLES

For every empire that has fallen, there has always been an underlying problem that empires face. Who to pass the torch to? We all see it in history. Thrones pass from one generation to another but upended when its successor is weaker than its predecessor....

When people think of Switzerland, visions of precision watches and delectable chocolates come to mind. Mention Italy, and food, fashion, and art follow. Say “Philippines,” and warmth, diaspora resilience, and natural beauty emerge.   These impressions reflect organic nation branding. The question is whether a...

In April 2023, MAP launched its CAMPAIGN AGAINST MALNUTRITION AND CHILD STUNTING (CAMACS) because we believe that our children today, especially those growing up in poverty, need investments in their nutrition, health, education, and wellness so that they can reach their full potential as healthy,...

A brief history of post World War industrial policy in the Philippines   Industrial Policy (IP) in the Philippines started at the end of the World War 2 with a regime of regulated free trade with the U.S., our primary trading partner at that time....

In the military, every mission is broken down into an Operations Order, a structured format known as SMEAC: Situation, Mission, Execution, Administration & Logistics, and Command & Signal. It is not about theory but about clarity, what the problem is, what needs to be done,...

for his lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship, social inclusion, good governance and resilience (ESG+R), establishing SM Prime as a benchmark for sustainable and resilient urban development;   for championing people-centered leadership and diversity by fostering a corporate culture that promotes employee welfare, professional development and...

When billions of pesos—or dollars—are at stake, powerful criminal networks don’t just disappear. They adapt, scheme, and fight back. Every bold anti-corruption initiative, no matter how noble, becomes a battlefield against those who thrive in the shadows.   Corruption isn’t static—it’s an organism with survival...

[Speech delivered by the author at the Philippines Council for Foreign Relations’ (PCFR) 40th anniversary celebration on October 2, 2025]   Tonight marks a milestone—forty years of the Philippine Council for Foreign Relations (PCFR). But this is more than a celebration of longevity. It is...

The life of a farmer is never easy. In the Philippines, where agriculture contributes 7.5% to GDP, farmers remain one of the most under-appreciated and marginalized groups. The struggle is even more difficult for women in agriculture as they are some of the hardest workers...