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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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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Budget Briefing on Proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program Held in Metro Manila
Lawmakers, government officials, and key stakeholders gathered in Quezon City on August 2025 for a briefing on the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program. The event aimed to help participants understand how government funds will be allocated for programs, projects, and services in the coming year.
Social Media
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When truth is under fire, where do journalists find their footing? 🎙 Media Nation On Air is a weekly radio-based podcast aired in Radyo Katipunan 87.9 FM. The show is produced by Media Nation in partnership with Friedrich Naumann Foundation Philippines and it explores the frontlines of the Philippine press. The initial episodes dive deep into the ICC Pre-Trial Hearings, the alarming attacks on local journalists, and how EDSA served as a personal formative experience for those in the field. By bridging history with current crises, the program provides a critical lens on the media’s role in protecting our democracy. The conversation expands globally and locally, tackling the harrowing reality of covering the latest war in the Middle East, the persistent attacks on the press, and the unique journey of becoming a Mindanaoan journalist. Whether you tune in live or watch via content-on-demand on Facebook, these sessions offer essential insights into the struggle for a free press. Catch the live energy on the airwaves or stream it anytime. Episode 1: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KfMtMywHs/ Episode 2: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1J6YPLNKTY/
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Media Nation On Air is a weekly radio-based podcast aired in Radyo Katipunan 87.9 FM . The show creates a safe, open space for journalists and media professionals to engage in meaningful public dialogue. Produced by Media Nation in partnership with Friedrich Naumann Foundation Philippines, the program reflects a shared commitment to press freedom, democratic discourse, and responsible journalism. Now successfully launched, the program has begun airing its episodes, bringing timely and relevant conversations closer to the public. Grounded in the 20-year MediaNation framework of structured dialogue, the show brings together veteran and campus journalists to unpack industry issues, strengthen professional practice, and make sense of the news cycle for a broader audience. It serves as a platform to uphold media ethics, confront the evolving challenges of the profession, and reinforce the vital role of a free and independent press in a liberal democracy. By bridging the gap between the media sector and civil society, Media Nation On Air contributes to building a more media-literate and informed public. Catch it live on air or on demand via Facebook at Radyo Katipunan 87.9 FM!
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Meet the speakers. 🎙️ Two of the country’s most respected voices in broadcast journalism take the stage for the 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝟮𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺: 𝗙𝘂𝗻, 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀—𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲: 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲. Join award-winning journalists 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗶 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝘇-𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗲𝘀 and 𝗣𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀-𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗻 as they bring decades of newsroom experience to the conversation, sharing insights from the frontlines of Philippine media and the realities of reporting with courage, credibility, and conviction. The forum is open to everyone—Ateneans and non-Ateneans alike— who want to be part of the conversation. 📍 Leong Hall, Ateneo de Manila University 🗓 March 19, 2026 | 12:30–2:00 PM Register here: https://tinyurl.com/12thMAPForum This forum is held in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. Layout by: Jojo Escober Spiel by: John Daniel Cancela
