Manila
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) promotes democracy, human rights, economic freedom, and curbing climate change. In Asia, we have offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, New Delhi, Seoul, and Taipei. We also work in Malaysia. FNF Philippines focuses on open and digital society, as well as a social market economy. FNF Philippines team works with local organization partners such as Center for Liberalism and Democracy, Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, Rappler, Philippine Economic Society, and Impact Leadership. Should you have questions or suggestions about our work, please contact us. You can also meet our team here.
News
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“Democracy is not in peril”
“The pessimistic view is that democracy is in regression, a worldwide setback,” Jose Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, noted in his special message to the “All About Democracy” Conference of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) in Manila, the Philippines. “My view is that these are temporary phenomena”, said President Horta, who became an Honorary Individual Member of CALD this year.
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Gendered Disinformation: FNF Research series on International Women's Day
Gendered disinformation aims to push women out of politics—through defamation, threats, and harassment. On International Women's Day, the FNF presents calls for action based on country studies.
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Violence Against Women Leadership
“Women need safer digital space to participate more in public discourse and governance,” a recent study commissioned by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in the Philippines highlights. “Reinforcing established laws and creating new ones specifically to prevent online violence against them will form safer environments in politics, and most importantly, mitigate the weakening of democratic institutions.”
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Will ASEAN reform SOE Governance to align with OECD?
ASEAN economies are integrated in trade and investment, yet uneven in governance standards. As Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines are deepening ties with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), governance standards become an issue.
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Divided We Fall: ASEAN’s Response to Trump’s Illiberal Trade Agenda
When President Trump’s "Liberation Day" trade policy hit Southeast Asia with tariffs reaching between 32 and 49%, the region’s economic foundation didn't just crack; it splintered. While ASEAN initially projected a rare image of defiance and solidarity, that unity lasted only weeks before the bloc’s two most export-dependent members, Vietnam and Cambodia, were first to break ranks to chase bilateral side deals with Washington.
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FNF PH and Loveyourself presents: Together in Transition: Commemorating Lives, Love, and Inclusive Solidarity
On November 20, 2025, FNF Philippines (FNF PH) partnered with Love Yourself Inc., an organization dedicated to life coaching and wellness in the Philippines, to host an event titled “Together in Transition: Commemorating Lives, Love, and Inclusive Solidarity.” The program honored beloved members of the trans community who were lost to violence and hate, while also strengthening the call for trans rights. It featured four speakers who discussed key topics on transgender health, the issues the community continues to face, and the steps needed to create safer, more inclusive spaces.
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Freedom Caravan 2025 Visits Key Cities Across the Philippines
The Freedom Caravan 2025 organized by the Center for Liberalism and Democracy in partnership with Friedrich Naumann Foundation brought discussions on integrity, accountability, and transformative governance to cities across the Philippines.
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First stop: UP Diliman! The Ateneo Human Rights Center, with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Philippines and The Philippine Collegian, successfully conducted the first leg of the Rights in Focus: The Human Rights for Campus Journalism Lecture Series Caravan. The event highlighted the vital role of campus journalists in promoting and protecting human rights, especially amid challenges like red-tagging, digital harassment, and misinformation. Key discussions also focused on legal remedies and building safety nets to protect student journalists while they carry out their important work. In a time when misinformation spreads quickly and human rights violations persist, it is crucial for campus journalists to know where and how to stand against these threats to safeguard truth, uphold rights, and preserve freedom of expression. See you at our next stop!
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Sa panahong tumataas ang presyo ng krudo, hindi rin dapat tumigil ang usapan tungkol sa karapatang pantao. ⛽✊ Aarangkada na ang “Rights in Focus: The Human Rights for Campus Journalism Lecture Series Caravan” na hatid ng AHRC at Friedrich Naumann Foundation Philippines! Ngayong April at May, bibisita ang caravan sa ilang unibersidad sa NCR upang maghatid ng learning sessions para sa campus journalists kasama ang mga human rights advocates at ilang seasoned journalists. 📍 First Stop: University of the Philippines Diliman! Next week na yan! Sumama sa byahe tungo sa mas makabuluhan at makatarungang campus journalism! Abangan ang iba pang detalye sa AHRC social media pages!
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