School of Social Sciences, Law, and Governance (SLG) Dean Dr. Nick Alviar and Political Economy alumni Paolo Cansino and Francis Gabriel Santos presented their research at the 2025 Philippine Political Science Association (PPSA) International Conference held at Newtown Plaza Convention Center, Baguio City, on May 23–24.

Anchored on the theme “Changes and (Dis)Continuities,” the conference brought together scholars, practitioners, and graduate students from the Philippines and abroad for two days of engaging discussions on pressing issues in political science.

Dr. Alviar presented his paper on “Pope Francis as Foreign Policy Architect: Disrupting Global Politics through Unorthodox Approaches." Cansino, meanwhile, examined the “Political Economy of Digital Banking & Finance in the Philippines.” Santos explored constitutional stability in his presentation titled “Standing the Test of Time: Constitutional Endurance of the 1987 Constitution Despite Constitutional Change Attempts of the Ramos, Arroyo, and Duterte Administrations.” 

The conference’s keynote address was delivered by Dr. Yuko Kasuya, President-elect of the International Political Science Association (IPSA) and Professor at Keio University, Tokyo. Her lecture focused on the production of knowledge about Philippine politics.

Also in attendance were several Political Economy alumni now contributing to academic and policy institutions across the country.

 

 

 

Dr. Yuko Kasuya (right), IPSA President-elect and Professor at Keio University, specializes in regime transitions, political institutions, and the politics of East and Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on the Philippines.

 

SLG alumnus Paolo Cansino.

 

Political Economy alumnus Francis Gabriel Santos (right) with Dr. Jean Paul Zialcita, former Executive Director of the UA&P Institute of Political Economy.

 

Dr. Nick Alviar (right) with Political Economy alumnus Joshua Uel Abad, Program Manager for Inclusive Economic Development of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Philippines.