“We are living through an era where defending our territorial integrity is no longer just a military or diplomatic issue”
The Philippines is no stranger to navigating stormy waters—figuratively and literally.
Today, those waters are increasingly challenged by geopolitical friction that threatens both our national sovereignty and economic resilience.
At the heart of this is the West Philippine Sea, a lifeline not only for our fishermen and coastal communities but for the very future of our economy and regional role.
We are living through an era where defending our territorial integrity is no longer just a military or diplomatic issue—it’s now deeply economic.
Every incursion, every confrontation at sea, every barrier to our rightful access to marine resources chips away not only at our sovereignty but at our capacity to sustain livelihoods, attract investments, and maintain our upward trajectory.
The harassment of Filipino vessels, the environmental degradation of our waters, and the slow creep of gray-zone operations are not abstract provocations—they’re real threats to real people.
Fisherfolk are pushed into deeper poverty. Communities that depend on the sea are being strangled by an aggressor’s chokehold.
And yet, amid these pressures, the Philippines remains one of the region’s strongest growth performers, with the Asian Development Bank projecting a steady 5.6% GDP increase in 2025.
That growth is driven by internal demand, investment, and policy reforms—proof that we have a resilient foundation. But resilience isn’t enough. That growth must be inclusive. It must deliver for every Filipino, not just the business elite or urban centers. And it must be shielded from the shocks of regional insecurity.
This is where partnerships matter. Strategic, mutually beneficial partnerships—not ones cloaked in debt traps or veiled threats.
According to recent Pulse Asia data, Filipinos are loud and clear on who they trust: the United States, Japan, Australia, ASEAN, and other democratic partners top the list.
China, despite being a major economic player, ranks near the bottom in public perception when it comes to being a reliable economic partner. That sends a powerful message.
Our foreign policy and economic diplomacy should reflect this reality.
We must strengthen partnerships with like-minded nations who believe in open trade, rule of law, and shared prosperity—not coercion.
These ties must translate into real investments: in infrastructure, digital connectivity, education, clean energy, and blue economy initiatives.
Not just MOUs and photo ops, but deals that improve quality of life, protect our environment, and create sustainable jobs.
The Philippines’ upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN is a pivotal opportunity to put these principles into action.
While the ceremonial handover has already taken place, the term begins on Jan. 1, 2026.
Under the banner “Navigating Our Future Together,” we must turn ASEAN into more than a ceremonial bloc.
It must be a platform for regional leadership that is proactive, rules-based, and people-centered. President Marcos Jr.’s commitments to strengthen regional trade through mechanisms like the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement and RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) are steps in the right direction—but they must be coupled with a firm, consistent defense of our maritime rights.
The stakes are high.
The South China Sea is not just a flashpoint—it’s a pressure point for the global economy. Nearly a third of global shipping passes through it.
It’s a vital corridor for food, fuel, commerce, technology, and digital connectivity. If these waters are no longer free and open, the economic repercussions won’t be contained to our archipelago—it will be global.
This is why the upcoming Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea, set for November 5–7, 2025, is a critical inflection point.
Bringing together leading regional experts, this forum is designed to promote a rules-based maritime order and shape pragmatic policy solutions that advance peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific. The Dialogue offers a timely platform to align national interests with broader regional priorities, especially as the Philippines prepares to lead ASEAN with a renewed mandate for principled leadership and inclusive cooperation.
The Dialogue must not shy away from the hard questions.
What does economic security mean in an age of strategic coercion?
How can small and middle powers band together to safeguard shared seas without provoking conflict? How do we ensure that development is not held hostage by geopolitical rivalry?
We need a regional order grounded in cooperation, not capitulation.
As ASEAN Chair and host of the Manila Dialogue, the Philippines has the chance—and the responsibility—to show leadership that is principled, pragmatic, and people-first.
Sovereignty and economic progress are not competing goals; they are mutually reinforcing imperatives. Defending one strengthens the other.
The Manila Dialogue must be where diplomacy meets resolve.
If we want a region where rules matter more than muscle, and where economies grow free from intimidation, we must lead with clarity and conviction.
The West Philippine Sea is the front line of our national and economic security. Our sovereignty is not up for negotiation, and our future won’t be written in silence.
