Strategic and Political

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On September 16, the US-Philippines Society Directors hosted a luncheon in honor of Foreign Secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. on his first official visit to Washington, D.C. The Secretary was in Washington DC for talks with U.S. government officials, an international oceans conference, and meetings with the …

MARYLAND – On 17-19 November, US-Philippines Society Co-chair Ambassador John D. Negroponte convened a 2-day workshop  on strategic developments in the South China Sea  at the prestigious Aspen Wye River Conference Center, Maryland. The workshop attracted policymakers and experts on China, Japan, Vietnam, India and the Philippines. Findings were to become part …

The Duterte Foreign Policy: Return of Equi-balancing The Duterte Administration has sought to expand partnerships during visits to China, Japan, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand and Malaysia. President Duterte’s recent actions indicate the Philippines is strengthening its naval and coast guard capabilities with help from Japan and South Korea. With President-elect Donald Trump, the …

Ambassador Maisto presented an in-depth analysis of the policy direction of the new Duterte administration at the SAIS PH Round table on 12 October. He cited President Duterte’s domestic agenda aimed at enhancing peace and order, reducing corruption and red tape, addressing traffic congestion, strengthening environmental protections, fighting criminality in …

PHILIPPINES – On June 22-24 , six weeks after Filipinos elected President Rodrigo R. Duterte in a historic voter turnout, the US-Philippines Society Board of Directors convened in Manila and Davao,  for a board meeting program and business mission. The three-day program was highlighted by a call on former President …

WASHINGTON D.C. – On June 6, at the Philippines Roundtable, co-sponsored by the Society, the Philippine Embassy and SAIS Southeast Asia Studies, featured guest speaker Director-General Claro S. Cristobal offered an initial scan of the policy agenda of the Duterte administration. As a precondition to progress and development, President Duterte …

WASHINGTON, D.C.- On May 4, 2016, with just five days before Filipinos cast their votes for president and vice-president, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace hosted the second Philippines Votes 2016 forum.Four Southeast Asia experts offered perspectives on post-election foreign policy challenges, including internal security threats, tensions arising from territorial …

WASHINGTON, D.C.- At the April 28 symposium “Philippines 2016: Governance, Growth, Development and Security” leading officials and analysts from the U.S. and the Philippines reflected on initiatives launched under President Aquino as he concludes his six-year term. Panelists highlighted gains from reforms and offered proposals for sustainable growth, poverty reduction and …

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On 20 April, 2016, as Filipinos are getting ready to vote for their next president and vice president, political scientist Dr. Patricio N. Abinales discussed Filipino voting habits, polls and surveys, and political trends and complex political party campaign practices. at Johns Hopkins University SAIS. The event …

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Seasoned journalist Marites Vitug provided an insightful analysis of the upcoming Philippine general elections at a luncheon program at the World Bank, on March 23. The lecture drew an informed audience of government officials, World Bank staff, academics, press, Society and business association members. On May 9, some …