In this January 2020 file photo, Philippine Navy personnel join their US, Indian and Japanese counterparts in a maritime exercise in the South China Sea. Courtesy of the Philippine Navy
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed Monday that his administration's foreign policy remains unchanged and will serve as the focus of the Philippines' hosting of the ASEAN Summit in 2026.
Vice President Sara Duterte over the weekend criticized what she said was the Philippines' lack of an independent foreign policy in favoring the United States.
"Then as now, our foreign policy remains the same: the Philippines is a friend to all. The Philippines is an enemy to none," Marcos said during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
"That will be our main focus as we host the ASEAN Summit in 2026," he said.
The Philippines was originally scheduled to host the ASEAN Summit in 2027, during the bloc’s 60th founding anniversary, but Myanmar formally expressed that it would forego the chairmanship in 2026.
READ: Philippines to host ASEAN Summit in 2026: Marcos Jr.
Marcos reiterated the policy after noting that the country now has greater confidence in defending its territories due to the support of more international allies.
"Sa harap ng mga bagong banta sa ating kapayapaan at soberanya, mas maigting ngayon ang ating paghahanda, pagmamatyag at pagtatanggol sa ating sarili. Gayunpaman, tayo pa rin ay nagtitimpi at nananatiling mapagpasensya, lalo na sa pagtanod sa ating buong kapuluan at sa pangangalaga saa ating interes," he said.
(In the face of new threats to our peace and sovereignty, we have intensified our preparation, vigilance, and self-defense efforts. Even so, we continue to exercise restraint and remain patient, especially in guarding our entire archipelago and protecting our national interests.)
"Subalit ngayon, mas mataas pa ang ating kumpiyansa dahil mas marami tayong mga kasangga, na magiging kabalikat natin sa oras ng matinding pangangailangan."
(But now, our confidence is even greater because we have more allies who will stand with us in times of great need.)
Marcos also noted that the country continues to bolster the equipment and weaponry of the Armed Forces in line with his administration's modernization goals.
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The President did not specifically mention tensions in the West Philippine Sea, although it remains the country’s most prominent international dispute.
Relations between the Philippines and nearby China have been tense due to disputes over maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea, a portion of the South China Sea that Beijing claims almost in its entirety.
Chinese vessels have repeatedly employed water cannons and other aggressive tactics to drive away Philippine ships, including civilian fishing boats and resupply missions to military outposts.
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