Opinion | What Philippines’ Marcos Jnr can learn from Singapore and Indonesia about balancing ties with China, US

“With respect to our place in the community of nations, the Philippines shall continue to be a friend to all. And an enemy to none,” declared President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, in his first state-of-the-nation address. “We will be a good neighbour – always looking for ways to collaborate and cooperate with the end goal of mutually beneficial outcomes,” he added, setting the tone for his foreign policy for the next six years.

But the highlight of the speech, which drew a standing ovation in the Philippine legislature, was when Marcos Jnr made clear that his administration “will not waver, we will stand firm in our independent foreign policy, with the national interest as our primordial guide”. For the first time, the Philippines has an opportunity to adopt a truly “independent” foreign policy, notwithstanding its US treaty alliance.

Against this backdrop, Marcos Jnr, better known as “Bongbong”, chose Indonesia and Singapore for his first foreign visits. Beyond cultivating ties with fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations members, he can also draw precious lessons from the two countries, which have maintained stable and fruitful ties with rival superpowers.

Since president Fidel Ramos, Filipino leaders have traditionally chosen Asean nations for their first foreign visits. This is partly because Filipino presidents are often inaugurated just months before the major Asean confabs, including the East Asia Summit, which brought global leaders to Southeast Asia. But it’s also a reflection of the Philippines’ role as a founding Asean member.

Marcos Jnr is also drawing lessons from his late father who, during his decades-long tenure, pursued strategic ties not only with major power blocs at the height of the Cold War, but also with fellow postcolonial nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The late Filipino strongman projected himself as among Asean’s pre-eminent leaders.