A NEW book by a think tank group advises that the Philippines must “abandon election-cycle thinking and adopt a long-term strategic approach to resilience, sovereignty, and national development.”
Citing rising security risks in the Indo-Pacific region while economic and governance pressures mount at the home front, the new policy book commissioned by the Stratbase Group stated “the Philippines can no longer afford to govern from one political cycle to the next as global uncertainty deepens and regional tensions intensify.”
The book, titled “Politika Beyond 2028,” laid out a strategic roadmap aimed at strengthening national resilience, safeguarding sovereignty, and guiding policy-making beyond electoral timelines, as the country confronts economic shocks, governance challenges, and mounting security risks in the Indo-Pacific.
“The Philippines can no longer afford short-term thinking,” Stratbase founder and chief executive Victor Andres Manhit said.
“In a world shaped by economic volatility, geopolitical tension, and security threats, we need resilience, good governance, and strategic clarity,” he added.
Organized around themes of resilient growth, inclusive governance, and geostrategic thinking, Politika Beyond 2028 examines how economic vulnerability, weak institutions, and external pressures intersect to threaten national stability. It argues that economic strength and governance reform must advance together if the country is to remain competitive and secure.
“Economic security and good governance are inseparable,” Manhit said.
“Resilient growth requires accountable institutions, transparent leadership, and policies that protect public trust while creating real opportunities for Filipinos,” he added.
The book also highlights the Philippines’ strategic location in the Indo-Pacific, warning that escalating regional tensions—particularly in the West Philippine Sea—underscore the need for clearer geostrategic direction and stronger cooperation with like-minded partners.
“Geostrategic thinking is critical in navigating the rising tensions and external pressures,” Manhit Noted.
“The Philippines must be clear-eyed in defending its interests, strengthening cooperation with trusted partners, and standing firm on peace, stability, and the rule of law,” he said.
Described as both a policy guide and a call to action, the book urges leaders to plan beyond electoral cycles and prepare for long-term risks rather than respond to crises as they emerge.
“This is about readiness,” Manhit said. “Readiness to confront uncertainty, to protect what matters, and to ensure the Philippines not only endures—but leads—in a rapidly changing world.”
The book warned that “without long-term planning, the Philippines risks entering its next decade unprepared for the impacts of evolving geopolitical dynamics to national security.”
