DFA Affirms SONA, Supports President’s Resolve to Protect PH Sovereign Rights and Territorial Integrity, Highlights Value of ASEAN Centrality to PH 

Undersecretary Antonio A. Morales joins the panel at the Post-SONA Forum held in Pasay City on 26 July 2023. (Photo Credits to DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)

MANILA 26 July 2023 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through Undersecretary Antonio A. Morales, affirmed the government’s resolve to protect the country’s sovereign rights and preserve its territorial integrity, in defense of a rules-based international order, as declared by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), during a Post-SONA Forum held in Pasay City on 26 July 2023.

“Under the President’s leadership, the DFA has steered the country’s independent foreign policy based on our national interest, in cognizance of the interests we share with fellow nations, and in pursuit of peace, security and prosperity,” said Undersecretary Morales.

He reiterated the President’s pronouncement during SONA that constant dialogue and diplomatic approaches will always be pursued to resolve any issue that may arise, with national interest paramount. 

He further noted that since the President’s last SONA, the DFA has facilitated and undertaken landmark bilateral and multilateral engagements underscored by the President’s clearly defined foreign policy to be "a friend to all and enemy of none" .

When asked about how ASEAN Centrality complements the country’s independent foreign policy, Undersecretary Morales affirmed that ASEAN Centrality is consistent with the independent foreign policy of the Philippines. 

Undersecretary Morales noted that ASEAN has proven to be a very effective regional organization in the maintenance of peace and security in the region.

“ASEAN Centrality means that ASEAN is the primary driving force; it drives the agenda and engagement with our external partners. ASEAN will serve to balance our engagements with major powers and players through mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and East Asia Summit. ASEAN Centrality promotes a rules-based system, something that we are espousing in bilateral and multilateral, regional fora," the Undersecretary explained. 

The Undersecretary reiterated that the ASEAN brand of being open, transparent, inclusive, and rules-based is consistent with the Philippine independent foreign policy of being a friend to all. END

(Photo Credits to DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)