Linar Orbista is the Program and Research Manager for Defense and Security of the Stratbase Institute, where she specializes in monitoring and engaging in high-level discussions on geopolitical and geo-economic developments in the Philippines and the broader Indo-Pacific. Her work focuses on delivering strategic insights and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to address critical issues shaping the nation’s policy landscape. Linar earned her bachelor’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations with a Specialization in East and Southeast Asian Studies from the Ateneo de Manila University, where she graduated summa cum laude. Her academic research centered on China’s domestic and foreign policies, which continues to guide her analysis of regional security and international affairs.

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Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. is the 17th and current president of the Philippines. He previously served as a Senator of the Republic, Vice-Governor and Governor of Ilocos Norte, and Representative of the Second District of Ilocos Norte.

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Carissa currently serves as a program and research associate at the Stratbase Institute, where she conducts policy research and analyzes sectoral trends in defense and security.

Carissa has held key roles in institutions focused on governance, diplomacy and social development. As a project officer for a non-profit organization, she led flagship campaigns on women’s health and empowerment in collaboration with foreign embassies. During her internship focused on the public sector, she facilitated strategic planning workshops and supported the alignment of governance frameworks with national government agencies.

Carissa earned a bachelor’s degree in diplomacy and international relations specializing in East and Southeast Asian studies from Ateneo de Manila University, graduating cum laude.

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Ms. Declaro specializes in research and policy analysis in the areas of defense and security, enterprise technology, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. She currently serves as a senior program and research associate at the Stratbase Institute, where she develops policy papers, prepares briefing materials and coordinates multistakeholder engagements involving the government, private sector and civil society. Ms. Declaro earned a Bachelor of Arts in international studies from De La Salle University-Manila, where she majored in European studies and minored in sports health. Graduating summa cum laude, she is also a member of the Rizal Honors Society.

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Marites Dañguilan Vitug, a leading Filipino investigative journalist and author, is editor-at-large for Rappler. She was editor of Newsbreak magazine, a trailblazer in Philippine investigative journalism. She has written nine books, the latest of which is Unrequited Love: Duterte’s Embrace of China co-written with Camille Elemia. Before that, she wrote Rock Solid: How the Philippines Won its Maritime Case against China. It won the National Book Award and was translated into Vietnamese. Marites has a degree in A.B. Broadcast Communication from the University of the Philippines and a diploma in world politics from the London School of Economics. She was a Nieman fellow at Harvard University and a recipient of fellowships from the University of San Diego in California—the Pacific Leadership Fellow; the Rockefeller Foundation Writing Fellowship in Bellagio Center, Lago di Como, Italy; the International House in Tokyo—the Asia Leadership Fellow Program; the Australian National University, University of Kyoto and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo.

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Dr. Aaron Jed Rabena is Professorial Lecturer at the Asian Center in the University of the Philippines Diliman. His areas of interests include Strategic Studies, Greater East Asian Geopolitics and Multilateral Politics, Political Risk, Maritime Security, and Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy.

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Atty. Fretti Ganchoon is a Senior State Counsel at the Philippines’ Department of Justice and the head of its Legal Staff – Maritime Group. She is also the Department’s alternate permanent representative to the National Maritime Council and the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea. A recognized maritime and international law expert, Atty. Ganchoon serves as a resource person in various maritime forums, technical meetings and government hearings. She holds a Master of Laws degree in International Maritime Law with Distinction (IMO IMLI) and teaches admiralty (FEU) and international law (UA&P) to Philippine law students, including law practitioners (MCLE).

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Laura Del Rosario is Former Under-Secretary or Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, served as Ambassador to India, then Vietnam, Formerly President of Miriam College, currently Senior Foreign Affairs Adviser

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Jerome Jogno is a program manager at Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Philippines. He manages the foundation’s youth empowerment portfolio, social media accounts, and website. He has ten years of experience building partnerships and orchestrating impactful conferences and events. He holds a master’s degree in Philippine Studies, specializing in Philippine Development Studies from the University of the Philippines Diliman and a bachelor’s degree in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, where he excelled as a scholar, graduating with honors.

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