Two research institutes in the Philippines are among the top 20 think tanks in Asia and Pacific, according to the Think Tanks and Civil Society Program (TTCSP) report released Saturday. The Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) and Institute for Strategic and Development Studies were placed on 12th and 19th spot, respectively, in the recently released TTCSP Global Go To Think Tank Index. Aside from the Philippines, the list culled research institutes from Russia, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. However, China, India, Japan, and the Republic of Korea were excluded. State-run Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) was also cited to earn the 37th spot out of 50 "Top Social Policy Think Tank” in the world. PIDS, established in 1977, was also at 70th place of 80 Top International Development Think Tanks. It was also nominated in the Top Think Tanks in Asia in 2012.
