Amb. Romualdez hopes for 'true economic activity' between Philippines, China under Marcos

Philippine Ambassador to the United States (US) Jose Manuel Romualdez on Wednesday said he is hoping for more investments coming from China under the Marcos administration.

During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, Romualdez was asked on how he believes President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will be different from former President Rodrigo Duterte in terms of dealing with the US, and if he thinks that there will be less challenges and more stability under the new administration.

In response, he said that he thinks Marcos “knows the value” of the Philippines’ relationship with the US, which he stressed “has always been with us” especially throughout the procurement of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Romualdez, however, said the tension between the US and China could be a “challenge” for the Philippines. Despite this, he said he believes Marcos has plans on how to approach both countries.

“The challenge is really on issues…as we know, these two countries are in very strong competition. We are hoping that being right in the middle of all of this, obviously our relationship with the United States is very important and we would like to reach out to China to resolve the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea. But at the same time gusto natin ng tunay na [we want a true] economic activity that more investments will be coming from China. They are an economic powerhouse,” he said.

Marcos, who is Romualdez's cousin, earlier said that in terms of foreign policy, he would not adopt the "slightly unorthodox approach" of Duterte, who rattled diplomats with his firebrand rhetoric and mercurial nature.

Marcos said he is fine with an independent foreign policy the Philippines is "friends with everyone," adding that he would seek to strike a balance between China and the US, which are vying to have the closest ties with his administration. —KBK, GMA News