Cayetano: PHL now friend to all, enemy to none

The Philippines is no longer an enemy of anyone and is now reaping the rewards of an independent foreign policy under President Rodrigo Duterte, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said on Monday.

Cayetano said the Philippines was was able to secure more than $30 billion worth of benefits from three countries over the past year.

He said this was one of the inputs he gave Duterte as the latter prepared for his second State of the Nation Address.

"It was more of inputs regarding his accomplishments in the last year. Mostly economic, yung mga benefits of the relationships na nabuo niya. More than $30 billion just from three countries alone, pwera pa yung iba," he said in an interview during the SONA's red carpet.

"Everyone knows that the Philippines now is a friend to all, an enemy to none, and that our relationship with old allies and new relationships are growing very quickly and we will start to see the fruits of our relationships," he added.

Last year, the Philippines signed several bilateral agreements with China, including financial agreements and investments amounting to $24 billion.

Cayetano also said that the travel expenses incurred by Duterte during his foreign trips are not an issue, pointing out that they brought back large returns.

"If you look at every peso spent sa travel, hundred fold, thousand fold, hundred thousand fold ang bumalik sa atin. Some people want to make it an issue, but I think the FIlipino people know, especially the OFWs want the President to visit," Cayetano said. —NB, GMA News