Philippines' independent foreign policy 'effective,' says Marcos

For President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the independent foreign policy of his administration has been effective.

"Our independent foreign policy – a friend to all and enemy of none – has proven effective. We formed strategic alliances with our traditional and newfound partners in the international community,” Marcos said in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Marcos mentioned how his trips abroad had yielded an estimated total investment value of P3.9 trillion.

The President also said that the country's existing bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, notably within the ASEAN framework, Japan, and Europe, have allowed the country "to leverage our competitive advantages and reap economic benefits."

"We will continue to forge more of these international partnerships that will lead to a more balanced trade strategy and a healthier economic position," said Marcos.

Marcos, however, did not mention the Philippines' ties with the United States and China.

In a US trip in May this year, he said the Philippines will continue to balance its relations with China while defending its sovereignty, noting that disengagement with Beijing is not an option.

Marcos also said the Philippines would maintain its foreign policy of being "a friend to all and enemy to none" as he cited the significance of engaging with ASEAN member-states and other Asian nations.

"Our foreign policy is almost simplistic when I describe it because our foreign policy is based on the pursuit of peace, our foreign policy is based on the promotion of our national interest," he said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News