
10/22/26
The ASEAN, China, and the United States: Challenges to Regional Order
The ASEAN's continuing claim to “centrality” in helping dene the region's security architecture faces two important contrasting developments in the region: a strongly consolidated political leadership in China under President Xi Jinping and the unilateralist, divisive leadership style of President Donald Trump that has upended many of the established practices of American foreign policy. A continuing crucial test of ASEAN's centrality lies in its ability to push through a binding Code of Conduc

10/22/26
MARCOS SHOULD RESPECT SC RULING, NOT DEFEND UNCONSTITUTIONAL BUDGET PRACTICES
QUEZON CITY — The Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) expresses serious concern over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for the Office of the Solicitor General to seek reconsideration of the Supreme Court ruling striking down unconstitutional provisions involving the national budget. The Supreme Court declared the 2024 and 2025 General Appropriations Acts unconstitutional over congressional increases beyond the President’s recommended appropriations and also...

9/28/26
Pax Silica and the Philippines: Weighing the Economic Security Bargain
Prof. Noel Leyco discussed the economic security questions facing the Philippines under Pax Silica at the DEV@WORK Series held on September 24, 2026, at the Asian Institute of Management. Prof. Leyco is President and Chief Economist of CRISP. Prof. Leyco has shared his presentation for readers who would like to explore the topic further. Click the files to download

10/22/26
The ASEAN, China, and the United States: Challenges to Regional Order
The ASEAN's continuing claim to “centrality” in helping dene the region's security architecture faces two important contrasting developments in the region: a strongly consolidated political leadership in China under President Xi Jinping and the unilateralist, divisive leadership style of President Donald Trump that has upended many of the established practices of American foreign policy. A continuing crucial test of ASEAN's centrality lies in its ability to push through a binding Code of Conduc

10/22/26
MARCOS SHOULD RESPECT SC RULING, NOT DEFEND UNCONSTITUTIONAL BUDGET PRACTICES
QUEZON CITY — The Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) expresses serious concern over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for the Office of the Solicitor General to seek reconsideration of the Supreme Court ruling striking down unconstitutional provisions involving the national budget. The Supreme Court declared the 2024 and 2025 General Appropriations Acts unconstitutional over congressional increases beyond the President’s recommended appropriations and also...

10/20/26
HOME ALONE: THE PHILIPPINES IN A MULTIPOLAR WORLD
After 80 years of independence, the Philippines is struggling with economic growth and security challenges. Today, the country is trapped in a multipolar world. It is caught between colliding global and regional powers - primarily the United States and China, alongside rising middle powers and shifting economic blocs, such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) bloc.

10/16/26
AMERICAN SUPREMACY HAS LOST GROUND
Genocide or mass, indiscriminate killings has been in the forefront of America’s history since the beginning – within the founding of America in the 18th century until today. America’s firing line has sent hundreds of millions of people to their graves. Symbolized by the “eagle”, this culture of impunity based on the so-called “Manifest Destiny” and white supremacy, is not without basis.

10/13/26
The Marcos Dilemma: Political Survival and Strategic Dependence
September 2026 marked a significant moment in Philippine politics, as domestic political maneuvering, fiscal decisions, and international strategic partnerships converged under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. These developments point to efforts to strengthen the administration’s political position ahead of the 2028 elections, alongside deeper integration into U.S.-aligned military and commercial frameworks through initiatives such as the Luzon Economic Corridor.

10/12/26
REVISITING ELITE RULE
Corruption - a grave problem in the government bureaucracy - is borne out of a bigger and more complex issue – malgovernance, which arises from the political elite’s malicious intent or self-aggrandizement. In the Philippines, malgovernance is the protectorate of private family interests.
