PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD PHOTO

THE GOVERNMENT of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is committed to pursuing a peaceful foreign policy even as it remains firm in defending Manila’s sovereignty, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said on Monday.

He said the government’s foreign policy’s posture is geared toward deepening economic ties with other countries to help spur the Philippine economy.

“Under the Marcos administration, we have pursued a foreign policy of peace, pragmatism, and partnership, building stronger alliances while standing firm in defending our sovereignty,” he said.

“We have strengthened economic ties with partners across Asia, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, securing investments and trade agreements,” he added.

Mr. Marcos has sought closer ties with the US and other Western countries, upending the foreign policy of his predecessor Rodrigo R. Duterte, who aligned the Philippines with China.

Mr. Romualdez said the House under his leadership has passed “landmark legislation” that he touted as helping the Philippines’ push towards becoming “stable, resilient and globally competitive,” such as the law that created the country’s sovereign wealth fund and measures upholding national sovereignty. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio