SONA 2025: Marcos maintains ‘PH a friend to all, enemy to none’ foreign policy

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. during  his State of the Nation Address on Monday maintained his administration's foreign policy: “The Philippines is a friend to all. The Philippines is an enemy to none.”

During his fourth SONA at the Batasang Pambansa, Marcos said this would be the main focus as the Philippines will host the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits next year. 

The President stressed this as the Philippines continue to face threats in its territories. He said defending the Philippines' rights would be heightened, however, the Philippine government would remain ''patient'' in protecting the country's rights. 

''Sa harap ng mga bagong banta sa ating kapayapaan at soberanya, mas maigting ngayon ang ating paghahanda, pagmamatyag, at pagtatanggol sa ating sarili,'' Marcos said.

''Gayunpaman, tayo pa rin ay nagtitimpi at nananatiling mapagpasensya, lalo na sa pagtanod sa ating buong kapuluan at sa pangangalaga sa ating interes,'' he added. 

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as the West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim on the resource-rich territory.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

However, China has refused to recognize the ruling.

Marcos has been consistent that the Philippines would never give up a single inch of its territory to aggressors. 

Overseas Filipino Workers

In his SONA, Marcos also highlighted the role of Overseas Filipino Workers, saying that the Philippines is highly regarded by many countries because of observing international laws, as well as the roles of OFWs. 

He said through OFWs, the skills of Filipinos are being showcased abroad. 

''Masasabi natin na mataas ang tingin ng buong mundo sa Pilipinas. Maayos, patas, at mahinahon tayong nakikitungo sa iba't ibang mga bansa. Tumutupad din tayo sa ating mga kasunduan, at sa mga batas at panuntunan ng pandaigdigang komunidad,'' Marcos said.

''Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating magigiting na mga OFW. Dahil sa kanila, naipamamalas ang angking galing, kabutihan, at puso ng Pilipino-sa lahat ng sulok ng daigdig,'' he added.

Further, Marcos mentioned the suffering experienced by some Filipino seafarers in the hands of Houthi rebels.

''Hindi po biro at sadyang mapanganib ang hanapbuhay ng ating tripulante. Ang trahedya na sinapit nila sa kamay ng mga rebeldeng Houthi ay isang halimbawa,'' he said. 

(The seafarer' job is inherently dangerous and no laughing matter. The tragedy they suffered at the hands of the Houthi rebels is one example.) 

Meanwhile, Marcos also expressed gratitude to various countries, which played key roles in granting clemency to some Filipinos in the Middle East.

''For their crucial and most beneficent sovereign interventions, I personally convey the entire nation's sincerest gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and to all the leaders of various countries that have granted clemency and have shown kindness to our beleaguered compatriots. Maraming, maraming salamat po. Thank you very, very much,'' Marcos said. — RF, GMA Integrated News