‘PLAY OUR CARDS’ | Marcos must stay true to pursuing independent foreign policy, says analyst

November 18, 2022 , 01:04 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(November 18, 2022) – It would be ideal if President Bongbong Marcos Jr. maintains friendly relations with both the United States (US) and China but any change in the political situation might affect how the administration deals with the two countries, a political analyst said on Friday.

Eric De Torres, who teaches political science at the University of the East, expressed confidence that Marcos can achieve the best possible scenario in dealing with the two superpowers.

“If we try to look at it in a more profound perspective, both countries are really wanting to win the Philippines and they also want to test the waters (to know) where this administration will anchor,” said De Torres on One News’ Agenda. “It’s just a matter of how we would intend to play our cards well.”

De Torres also believes that the upcoming visit of US Vice President Kamala Harris will be a significant factor in building confidence in the long-existing ties between Washington and Manila.

Harris will visit Palawan, an area close to the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea, on Tuesday. Before this, she is also scheduled to meet Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio. Harris will be the highest-ranking US official under the term of US President Joe Biden to visit the Philippines.

“It’s like (an assurance) that whatever happens, US will be there. But of course, to a certain degree, to a certain extent, that would significantly change if there will be a change in administration also in the US,” noted De Torres.

Marcos, who had a working visit to New York last September despite a contempt order, plans to have a state visit to Washington next year. This January, Marcos will have a state visit to China.

While balancing both ties would be ideal, De Torres said the country must anticipate any change that might affect this.

“If there would be an aggressive stance on the part of the US in being able to revise some of the provisions of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), and the manner by which they will be able to allow us to get hold of military technology they sell in the market, that would be a game-changer,” said De Torres.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte pivoted his foreign policy to China. While he has repeatedly threatened to cancel the VFA, he eventually softened his stance and restored the key military pact in July 2021.

Marcos reiterated in several speeches that he would pursue an independent foreign policy, stressing the need to seek “ways to collaborate and cooperate with the end goal of mutually beneficial outcomes.”

“At the end of the day, it’s a question of sovereignty—of how one country can be able to pursue its foreign policy independently,” said De Torres.

(PM)

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