Since he founded The Stratbase Group and the Stratbase Institute for Strategic and International Studies in 2004, Victor Andres “Dindo” C. Manhit has provided top-level strategic analysis and thought leadership on global issues in the Philippines. He has identified investment and business opportunities, gathered critical intelligence to overcome regulatory challenges, and developed deep relationships in key departments and agencies. With his extensive experience, he continues to advise the private sector and the diplomatic community on the interplay between business and government and the impact of legislative, regulatory, and geopolitics on their strategies.

As a public policy analyst and strategist, Professor Manhit thinks beyond politics for his political risk assessments, and draws on a combination of backward- looking, fact-based, data-driven analytics with forward-looking thinking, and strategic policy options. He believes that policy research and analysis should be undertaken in an independent, strategic, and pragmatic manner in order to contribute to the geopolitical debate and, in the process, effectively influence domestic and regional policy. He has provided strategic analysis at this time of great global challenges and the importance of the influence of a globalized society in nation- states.

Concurrently, he is Philippine Country Head of BowerGroupAsia (BGA), a leading strategic advisory firm specializing in the Asia-Pacific. He was a former Chair and retired Associate Professor of the Political Science Department of De La Salle University, Manila, and has authored numerous commentaries and papers on geopolitical issues, governance, and political reforms. He specializes in Strategic Studies and Management, International Politics, and Public Policy Analysis. He also regularly contributes articles and columns to leading newspapers in the Philippines, such as Philippine Daily Inquirer and BusinessWorld.

He is a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Multi-Sector Governance Council and was appointed to be the Chair of the Cybersecurity Committee. In the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), he serves as the Chair of the Committee on Investment Policy and Promotion.

His field of specialization has led him to pursue active involvement in legislation, bureaucratic work, and civil society advocacy. Among the government positions he has held include Undersecretary for External Affairs and Special Concerns of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports and Deputy Secretary for Administration and Financial Services of the Philippine Senate. Meanwhile, his legislative experience encompasses the 8th, the 9th, 10th, and the 12th Congress as Chief of Staff of the late Senate President Edgardo J. Angara and senior policy research adviser in key Senate Committees, such as Education, Agriculture, Economic Affairs, Social Justice and Electoral Reforms, and Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Laws.

After his stint in government, he became involved with different consortiums and networks of civil society groups. His civil society initiatives range from governance reform to environmental stewardship, as Lead Convenor of citizen-led initiative, Democracy Watch Philippines, and Convenor of pro-industry group, Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship (PBEST).

Internationally, he sits as Vice-Chair of the Advisory Board to the international non-government organization We Protect our Seas – WPS. The trans-Pacific effort underlines the critical linkage of economic ties between the U.S. and the Philippines as a foundation for enduring security relations through research and programs. He is also a Board Member of the Global Advisory Board of the European Values Center for Security Policy.

He is also an advisor to the Board of Asia Society Philippines, which aims to strengthen relationships, deepen understanding, and bridge differences across the Philippines, Asia, and the United States. He was appointed as one of the ASEAN Regional Forum Experts and Eminent Persons (ARF-EEP) by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

He is a Fellow of the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF), an organization dedicated to advancing economic and political liberty and other market-oriented reforms, and a member of both the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), the Philippines’ leading organization committed to promoting management excellence for nation-building and the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), dedicated to the professionalization of Philippine corporate directorship and an active member of its Strategy Execution Pathway (StEP) Committee. As a member and adviser of the Board of the Philippine Trade Foundation (Phils, Inc.), Professor Manhit contributes to the crafting of initiatives geared to attract investments and promoting balanced trade.

Professor Manhit obtained his master’s degree in Public Administration and Bachelor’s Degree in Philippine Studies (Major in Political Science and History) from the University of the Philippines. He is also a member of Phi Gamma Mu International Honors’ Society Beta Chapter.