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CLIENT SUCCESS CASES
CASE 1
The Situation
A global inter-governmental agency had been pushing for the Philippine Senate to ratify a treaty on good governance for almost a year. Even with the support of large non-government organizations, the campaign had not succeeded. Stratbase accomplished the job, which normally takes a year, in one month.
Stratbase's Solution
We presented and articulated the treaty’s merits to the Philippine Senate, after which we focused on key legislative committees. Stratbase facilitated meetings and briefings with key senators and their senior legislative officers.
Client Benefits
The successful legislative advocacy benefitted not only the client but the whole nation. The Philippines is now a signatory on an international treaty on good governance.
CASE 2
The Situation
A strategic Philippine industry had been under attack from left-leaning groups whose legislative initiatives aimed to replace existing laws with those that would kill the industry outright. A powerful campaign had painted a negative perception of the industry among the public and many government leaders.
Stratbase's Solution
Stratbase designed and executed a tri-media campaign to counter and discredit opponents’ propaganda. The campaign questioned the credibility of the critics and exposed the allegations’ lack of scientific basis. Stratbase launched a plan to engage key legislative committees against efforts to pass highly damaging bills in Congress.
Client Benefits
When these groups’ main arguments were exposed as lies and unscientific, the momentum shifted and they were put on the defensive. The proposed bills did not prosper.
CASE 3
The Situation
A leader in the IT industry with a Philippine office required regular political counsel and up-to-date local political and economic briefings. The company was having difficulties in dealing with legislative and regulatory agencies.
Stratbase's Solution
Stratbase forged a long-term strategic partnership with the client in order to develop and implement a public affairs strategy for the company. Stratbase set up meetings and consultations between strategic and other key political players in both Houses of Congress and the company’s top leaders for them to articulate their concerns and corporate goals. After which, these legislative networks were mobilized.
Client Benefits
Legislative initiatives were launched to spur a healthy business environment for the client.
CASE 4
The Situation
One of the nation’s largest companies had been blamed for unfairly increasing the price of a critical public utility, translating to increased legislative and regulatory risks. Stratbase was approached to shape the policy discussion to a more fact-based paradigm and eventually influence public perception.
Stratbase's Solution
Through its legislative network, Stratbase was able to shift the discussion toward the root causes of price increases: the inefficient supply chain and layered taxes. By partnering with civil society and actively engaging forums in Congress and the concerned regulatory agencies, Stratbase was able to amplify the voice of consumer groups to champion for lower taxes and fees. The focus also shifted to colluding parties behaving like cartels.
Client Benefits
By reframing the issue, the client was able to quell growing criticism and shed light on the real cause of high prices. Furthermore, with the debate re-shaped, the conversation has now shifted towards the country’s long-term need for reliable and affordable supply of the public utility.
CASE 5
The Situation
A bill pending in Congress for decades became a legislative priority of the government. Triggered by lobby from several groups, the bill in its original form appeared overly strict compared to other models in the region, particularly on mergers and acquisitions. Clients could face undue restrictive threat from the proposed regulation.
Stratbase's Solution
Citing similar policies in other countries, especially in Southeast Asia, Stratbase engaged both Houses of Congress by having regular briefings with key legislators and their support staff for the consideration of proposed provisions and amendments both during the committee deliberations as well as in the bicameral proceedings. The Stratbase team monitored the progress of the bill at every step until it was approved by the bi-cameral committee and reported for plenary approval by both Houses of Congress.
Client Benefits
The successful legislative advocacy not only benefitted the client but paved the way for a policy that promotes economic growth and development rather than stifles them. The new law was hailed as a landmark legislation of that year’s Congress.
CASE 6
The Situation
Health advocates from NGOs and government supported moves to impose new taxes that would greatly affect one of the biggest food producers in the country. The health narrative of the proponents had been gaining traction in Congress, resulting in a new tax bill that presented a great risk to the industry.
Stratbase's Solution
Stratbase worked to destroy the main argument by presenting studies showing that the proposed tax measure would not solve the government’s intended problem. The narrative was changed through a combination of communications campaigns and legislative initiatives that raised the bill’s negative effects on the country’s biggest employers and tax-paying enterprises. Stakeholders from affected industries were mobilized to put up their own campaigns, thereby demonstrating a wide front of groups against the bill.
Client Benefits
The proposed bill did not go beyond committee level.
CASE 7
The Situation
A new bill filed in Congress had provisions that would negatively affect a big Philippine conglomerate and Fortune 500 company. A critical amendment had to be included in the bill.
Stratbase's Solution
After several legislative initiatives in both houses of Congress, Stratbase successfully delivered key revisions to the bill. Stratbase facilitated engagements in the House of Representatives and Senate, including the client’s participation as a resource of the concerned committees’ Technical Working Groups, and closely monitored the bill’s progress of the bills.
Client Benefits
The Stratbase team is currently very active in the Technical Working Group organized to craft the implementing rules and regulations of the law to make sure key revisions remain intact.
CASE 8
The Situation
A large consortium won the bid to privatize a critical nationwide infrastructure network in the Philippines. However, they needed to obtain a legislative franchise to complete the privatization process.
Stratbase's Solution
The Stratbase team together with the winning consortium closely engaged the Franchise Committee of the House of Representatives and Public Service Committee of the Philippine Senate. The Stratbase team was able to deliver a smooth pass through of the franchise in less than one year, plus an extended franchise of 25 plus 25 years, translating to a 50-year award for the consortium.
Client Benefits
Client avoided costly delays in starting operations and now holds a 50-year franchise.
CASE 9
The Situation
An industry had been threatened with new legislation that would change the revenue-sharing proportions in their existing contracts with government. The scheme threatened the viability of all existing projects.
Stratbase's Solution
Stratbase launched a communications plan to debunk claims that the revenue-sharing agreements were unfair, with clear evidence of how the Philippine industry was already being heavily taxed. It also launched a political management plan to counter new bills on revenue-sharing.
Client Benefits
Claims that the existing revenue-sharing schemes were unfair were fully debunked. The proposed revenue-sharing bills did not prosper in Congress.
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