The incoming Foreign Affairs secretary

BABE'S EYE VIEW FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.

- AMBASSADOR B. ROMUALDEZ

Early on during the first year of President Marcos' term, he clearly indicated that the Philippines would pursue an independent foreign policy—one that would protect our national interest while promoting peace and strengthening relationships with like-minded nations.

“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,” the President said during his second State of the Nation Address in July 2023, underscoring that a multilateral approach to foreign policy would be the best for the future of the country as we work with other nations to address issues of mutual concern.

Calling on the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism during the 14th ASEAN-UN Summit in Laos last October, the president also highlighted the need to protect, uphold and live by the rules-based international order that has been established “to avoid the conflicts in the past—conflicts which have set humanity back several decades.”

At the 127th Independence Day celebration in Malacañang last Thursday, he told members of the diplomatic corps during the traditional vin d’honneur reception: “Our engagements with the world are geared towards building peace and cooperation, and to fostering enduring partnerships. We build bridges, not walls. We forge alliances that are based on mutual respect, reciprocity and shared goals.”