Organizer: ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute

Description:

The recently concluded Philippine presidential election resulted in a landslide victory for Ferdinand Marcos Jr, son and namesake of the country’s former dictator. His new government affords an opportunity to reboot the Philippines’ foreign policy. The previous administration under former president Rodrigo Duterte (2016-2022) pursued an ‘independent’ foreign policy that emphasised closer relations with China and undermined the military alliance with the US. Marcos Jr. vowed to defend and promote the country’s national interests given the increasing rivalry between the two great powers. As the Philippine president is often considered as the chief architect of foreign policy, Marcos Jr. is expected to carve his own foreign policy direction distinct from his predecessor. This seminar will lay out the preliminary contours of the Philippines’ foreign policy under the Marcos Jr administration. What are the foremost foreign policy challenges faced by the Philippines? How will the Marcos Jr administration hedge and balance its relations between the two superpowers? What are the options for the Philippines if contingencies arise from the regional flashpoints brought about by the intense rivalry between Beijing and Washington?

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