Identifying players in maritime disputes significant in shaping foreign policy—analyst

For the first leg of the President Edgardo J. Angara (PEJA) Fellowship lecture series, the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (CIDS) and the UP Asian Center hosted the public lecture “Domestic Stakeholders in Philippine Maritime Disputes: Impact and Influence on Foreign Policy” with Dr. Aileen S.P. Baviera. Held at the GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium at UP Asian Center last June 3, 2016, the lecture aimed to shed light on the dynamics between main domestic stakeholders in multiple levels, foreign policy, and the maritime disputes in which the country is involved.
 Dr. Baviera is one of the five fellows awarded the previous year and is a professor at the UP Asian Center. Her specializations include contemporary China studies, China-Southeast Asia relations, Asia-Pacific security, territorial and maritime disputes, and regional integration.
CIDS Executive Director Edna E.A. Co welcomed the lecture’s attendees and guests. UP President Alfredo E. Pascual was also in attendance and delivered the opening remarks. CIDS Executive Director Co also delivered Senator Edgardo J. Angara’s message, which recognized the significant contribution of Dr. Baviera’s study in the maritime disputes, in his stead (Sen. Angara’s message may be read here).
Dr. Baviera focused on the maritime disputes with China and Taiwan and tackled their influence on dominant stakeholders in the issue, both at the national and local levels and in both government and nongovernmental positions. After the analysis, implications for foreign policy were also bared. Following Baviera’s lecture proper were reactions from Mr. Chito Sto. Romana, lecturer of UP Asian Center and Philippine-Chinese relations expert, and Mr. Benito B. Valeriano, Assistant Secretary of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Students and experts weighed in on the lecture and asked question in the open forum. Dr. Joefe Santarita, dean of UP Asian Center, concluded the program with closing remarks.

The presentation of Dr. Baviera can be viewed below: