Prof. Robin Michael Garcia, Ph.D.

FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Political Scientist

Robin Michael U. Garcia is a political scientist, academic, and public affairs adviser who has advised companies, electoral aspirants, governments, and international organizations. He is a sought-after speaker and analyst here and abroad. His views have appeared in top media organizations such as CNN, Aljazeera, Channel News Asia, Rappler, ANC, GMA News, and BusinessWorld among others. He frequently speaks in conferences and forums organized by think tanks, governments, and universities.

He is a 2023-24 Visiting Scholar at the Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania where he did research on the international politics of China, Taiwan, US and the Philippines. He is the President and CEO of WR Advisory Group, a public affairs firm specializing in data, strategy, and communications. Concurrently he is the Founder and Chairman of its opinion research arm, WR Numero Research.

In 2025 he joined the faculty of the Ateneo School of Government as Associate Professor. He served as Assistant Professor at the Political Economy Program of the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) in Manila. In 2023 he was appointed to the 24-person policy research group convened at the House of Representatives of the Philippines where he advised on foreign policy. He was also named an Eisenhower Global Fellow in 2023.

He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in International Politics from Fudan University in Shanghai where he was distinguished with the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence. He obtained a Master of Public Administration from the University of the Philippines’ National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), as well as a BA in Development Studies from De La Salle University where he was awarded the Gawad Magaaral Award (Distinguished Student Award).

Prof. Cleve V. Arguelles

PRESIDENT AND CEO, WR NUMERO

Cleve V. Arguelles is a political scientist known for his scholarship on political and social change in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. He is President and CEO of WRN, Assistant Professorial Lecturer in the Department of Political Science and Development Studies in De La Salle University, and Affiliate Faculty of DLSU Andrew L. Tan Data Science Institute.

A recipient of numerous research grants, Cleve has published more than a dozen book chapters, journal articles, and technical reports. His research on elections, democracy, and youth political participation have been published in local and international journals such as the Asian Politics & Policy, Democratic Theory, and Southeast Asian Affairs. The book Rethinking Filipino Millennials, in which he authored a chapter, was named the Best Book in the Social Sciences in the 39th National Book Award. For his research impact and productivity, he is also regularly named as among the top-cited political scientists in the Philippines in the World Scientist and University Rankings.

Cleve has a BA (University of the Philippines), MA with Distinction (Central European University), and on-going PhD (The Australian National University) in political science. He is formerly Assistant Professor and Chair of the Political Science Program in the University of the Philippines Manila.

Leo Lope Lofranco

VICE PRESIDENT FOR DIGITAL

Leo Lope Lofranco is WR Advisory Group’s Vice President for Digital where he leads the data social media analytics and intelligence capabilities and oversees the digital campaign practice of the firm. He has helped build the firm’s data-driven work on social media campaigns for electoral aspirants.

Leo is a software engineer and research stints on computational methods. He was a Research Fellow at Harvard University where he helped developed a software that would analyze large data sets on pharmaceutical and biological information. He continued this research as an Erasmus Mundus research scholar at the University of Genoa’s Department of Medicine in Italy. He obtained a B.Sc. in Life Sciences from the Ateneo de Manila University where he was the captain of the rowing team.

Dr. Gary Ador Dionisio

SENIOR ADVISOR

Dr. Gary Ador Dionisio is a Senior Adviser at WR Advisory Group. With decades of experience in political national and local campaigns in the Philippines, he advises WR’s strategic communications team on political strategy and campaign management. Since 2019, he has been the Dean of the De La Salle College of St. Benilde-School of Diplomacy and Governance. Dr. Gary is a Senior Fellow at the Philippine Public Safety College, (PPSC), and he sits at the panel evaluating public administration and governance programs at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). He is also a Subject Matter Expert at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and a member of the board at the Washington Global Institute.

He frequently travels abroad to speak on topics around governance, civil society, international politics, and public policy. He obtained a Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) from the University of the Philippines—National College of Public Administration and Governance, and holds a master’s degree in political science from De La Salle University.

Charmaine Capili

SENIOR ADVISOR

Charmaine Olea-Capili is a Senior Adviser at WR Advisory Group where she advises on corporate public affairs and stakeholder management. Charmaine has worked both in the public and private sectors. She has a long stint with the executive branch of government having worked with the Office of the Press Secretary and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process at the Office of the President of the Philippines. Afterwards, she joined several top government affairs consulting where she handled communications and stakeholder engagement consulting of global defense & security, aerospace, mining, and food & beverage companies.

Charmaine is currently the Executive Director of the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) where she champions the interests of the nickel and the mining sectors. She is a candidate for a Master of Political Economy from UA&P’s School of Social Sciences, Law and Governance, and. holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with specialization in marketing from Ateneo de Davao University.

Joshua E. Bata, MSc

HEAD OF RESEARCH

Joshua E. Bata is a peace, security, and development researcher trained in econometrics whose expertise have been put into use in his work with the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, and the Philippine Information Agency for the Task Force Bangon Marawi. He was previously based in Geneva working under the Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.

His current work with the UN focuses on using arms and ammunition flows data for conflict early warning systems. A part of his work attempts to understand the flows, misuse, and proliferation of weapons to inform multilateral negotiations at the global and regional levels.

He has a BA in Development Studies (University of the Philippines and University of Tokyo) and a joint MSc in International Development (Palacky University Olomouc in the Czech Republic, Universite Clermont Auvergne in France, and Universita di Pavia in Italy).

Lezel Nipas

HEAD OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

A native of Guinobatan, Albay, Lezel Arepentido Nipas is a seasoned worker. She has decades-long experience in finance management and administrative work and has a vast and diverse experience working in reputable companies both in the Philippines and Qatar.

She has a Commerce degree in Banking and Finance from the Divine World College of Legaspi.

A nurturing mother at heart, Lezel has been integral in her role as Head of Administration and Finance at WR Advisory Group. She continues to streamline the firm’s processes and improve the working culture of all employees. She is driven by her goal to provide the best service to all stakeholders of the firm.

In her spare time, she spends all of it with her young son and outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking, jogging and any water adventure.

Jio Villanueva

LEAD FOR CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS

Jio Villanueva is the Lead for Creative Communications at WR Advisory Group where he works with the firm’s digital campaigns practice for electoral aspirants. Previously, Jio worked at the Presidential Communications Operations Office as lead producer and scriptwriter focused on themes surrounding youth, politics, and democracy.

Jio has won awards in journalism and has handled courses on media and information literacy, speech, writing and journalism. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Cavite State University.

Raphaelle Rodriguez

LEAD FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Raphaelle Rodriguez is a Lead for External Affairs at WR Advisory Group. She is in charge of the firm’s external communications, from client management, client acquisition, to the firm’s social media presence.

She has almost a decade of experience in digital marketing and communications previously working with brands such as Lazada, Facebook, Unionbank, LEVI Jeans, Sandoz Philippines, Rappler, and ABS-CBN.

She has also led and assisted in the digital transformation of corporations such as Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, MSD Philippines, and Philippine Airlines. She has lead and helped helm the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP)’s Web Wednesdays series and DigiCon, the Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA)’s Collab Series, and Lazada’s Lazada University. Raphaelle graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

Melanie Baraga-Mapalad

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Melanie Smith Baraga-Mapalad is a seasoned senior art director and renowned for her expertise in social media design and branding. With over seven years of immersion in the creative industry, Melanie has collaborated with diverse companies, showcasing her mastery in the field. Her portfolio boasts numerous successful projects, including handling VIP clients with finesse, a testament to her professionalism and skill.

Beyond her professional achievements, Melanie has a commendable record of nurturing budding designers, aiding them in refining their craft. Melanie's journey in art and design commenced early in life, fuelled by an unwavering passion.

Through relentless practice and unwavering dedication, she has cultivated her talents, becoming known for her meticulous attention to detail and innovative thinking, traits that consistently elevate her contributions to any team fortunate enough to have her.

Melborne Banguilan

VIDEO EDITOR & GRAPHICS DESIGNER

Melborne is a Multimedia Artist and Filmmaker with a well experience in the field of filmmaking. He developed his skills in 6 years of learning about filmmaking and even taking a Filmmaking related course for 4 years. He became also a Multimedia Head Director of a Non-Profit organization, which He managed the Technical Team, Broadcasting Team, Graphic Design Team and Production Team, under his guidance The Team enables to give a quality and well planted projects like, Graphic Designs, Short-films, Advertisement, and Documentary for various online platforms like Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

His last project-based employment is from Fil-Chi Media Production Inc. or Chinoy TV as a Multimedia Artist to shoots contents and events for CHiNOY TV and also handles video editing of materials and other graphic requirements, and recently become part of WR Advisory Group to fill the role as a Graphic Designer/Video Editor.

Melborne holds a Bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Arts from Cagayan State University – Carig Campus, and also became part of the school organization as a Graphic Designer, Video Editor, Photographer and Videographer, also he was nominated as Director of The Year on their Capstone/Thesis Project.

Kethleen Marga

LEAD FOR PEOPLE & CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

Angel Marga is the Special Assistant to the President and CEO, and Corporate Communications Lead of WR Advisory Group. She is a Human Resources Professional, with experience focusing in recruitment. Prior to joining WR Advisory Group, she previously worked as a Recruitment and Admin Coordinator for half a year at Devex Incorporated. She also functioned as a Technical Recruiter when she had her six-month internship at Vertere Global Solutions Inc.

Angel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Development and Management from Ateneo de Davao University, where she has served as a Human Resource Assistant for two years.