6 future directions

The State of Philippine Foreign AffairsRonald M Joves, MNSA22 September 2007Philippine Foreign Affairs (IS-39)

The terms of reference of Philippine foreign policy

The ConstitutionNational Interests

The 1987 Philippine Constitution The State shall pursue and

independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interests, and the right to self-determination (Section 7, Article II).

The National Interests The sum total of all national economic,

political, socio-cultural, techno-scientific, and environmental goals.

The very core of foreign policy formulation and implementation.

Without national interests, the country will be in a state of flux.

Charting Future Directions: The “835” Approach

The Eight Realities The Three Pillars The Five Dimensions

The Eight Realities: 1, 2, 3 The determining influence of China,

Japan, and the US in the security and economic evolution in East Asia.

Foreign policy decisions within the ASEAN context.

The importance of the international Islamic community.

The dependence on foreign investments.

The role of multilateral and inter-regional organizations in securing common interests.

The defense of sovereignty and protection of environment and natural resources.

The Eight Realities: 4, 5, 6

The benefits derived international tourism and strength of human resources.

The crucial role of overseas Filipino workers.

The Eight Realities: 7 & 8

The Three Pillars of PFA

National Security Development Diplomacy Overseas Filipino Workers

The Five Dimensions Political Economic Socio-Cultural Techno-Scientific Environmental Military

The 835 Approach …

Determines the course of action taken by decision-makers

Decisions are made on the basis of what looms large in the radar screen of Philippine affairs

Juxtaposed with National Interests

8 + 3 + 5 = Ideal FP

Foreign Policy Responses in the Macapagal-Arroyo Administration

The Contending Views

The decisions were criticized. The decisions were

controversial and unconventional.

The decisions have put the country close to harm’s way.

The decisions or initiatives were bold and trailblazing.

The decisions enabled the country to gain political and economic advantages and opportunities.

The Contending Views

Whether they were controversial or bold, the aim of the State was to address what it considered a matter of national interest.

Foreign policy responses conditioned and influenced by Domestic and international

terrorism Transnational issues Insurgency and separatist

movements Growing incidence of poverty

Step taken by the Foreign Office Seek a permanent solution to

problems in southern Philippines and the insurgency problem

Combat terrorism Resolve the South China Sea issue Cooperate in multilateral forums to

establish peace and development

Step taken by the Foreign Office Cooperate in multilateral forums to

establish regional peace and development

Participation in the Coalition of the Willing

Active participation in the United Nations and other international organizations.

Seeking a lasting peaceful solution to the MILF and CPP-NPA-NDF problems and combating threats posed by the Abu Sayyaf and other terrorist groups

Seeking a lasting solution… The most visible and gripping issue

faced by the State. The issue has festered the State since

the Marcos Administration. Assistance was sought from the

Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)

The Aquino Administration freed all political detainees

The Ramos Administration forged a peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front of Chairman Nur Misuari.

The Estrada Administration launched an all-out military offensive in Mindanao.

Seeking a lasting solution…

The Arroyo Administration sought a holistic approach in the quest for a lasting solution.

A humanitarian offensive alongside a military offensive.

Forged a Final Peace Agreement with both the MILF and the CPP-NPA-NDF

Seeking a lasting solution…

Festering controversy

Does the involvement of foreign countries encourage the interference in the domestic affairs of State?

Foreign countries aided local insurgents by providing weapons, ammunition, cash to advance the cause of their local brothers and comrades.

Festering controversy

With the help of foreign countries, support to local insurgents have dramatically diminished.

Foreign assistance now channeled to socio-economic programs and projects for the greater advantage of the affected civilians.

Prevented the spawning of new groups.

The re-channeling of assistance

The Visiting Forces Agreement addresses the training and modernization of the AFP in combating terrorism and threats to national security.

The US Institute of Peace and USAID committed funds in support of quality education and sustainable microfinance to former rebels.

The re-channeling of assistance

Combating Terrorism

September 11, 1991 a.k.a. 9/11

Altered the political landscape and historical course of the world.

Impacted on foreign policy priorities.

President Arroyo was first Asian to throw its support in the call to combat global terrorism.

The State exerted efforts to strengthen political and security cooperation to reduce local threat and reinforce regional cooperation.

September 11, 1991 a.k.a. 9/11

September 11, 1991 a.k.a. 9/11 Bilateral counter-terrorism agreements

were concluded with the United States, Australia, and Russia.

Regional agreements were likewise concluded with ASEAN, ASEM, APEC, and the UN.

The ASEAN, ARF, ASEAN+3

ASEAN is the cornerstone of Philippine foreign policy

ASEAN is the political core of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation


The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is a venue for the Philippines to dialogue with 21 countries on development, economic, political, and security issues.


The Philippines takes the lead in ASEAN in areas of good governance, human rights, human resource development, transnational issues, poverty alleviation, financial reform, maritime cooperation, socio-economic cooperation, and information technology.


Regional Peace and Security

The Flashpoints of Philippine foreign affairs

The Flashpoints The Philippines hopes to promote

regional peace by espousing conflict resolution and prevention through confidence building measures (CBMs)

CBMs include the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed by ASEAN and China

Flashpoint #1

The Korean Peninsula The vestige of the Cold War era. The remaining “Wall or Curtain”

between the East and West Conflict. Stems from the continued nuclear

program initiated by North Korea. The Philippines actively involved in the

ASEAN’s “Six Party Talks.”

Flashpoint #2

The Taiwan Straits The One-China Policy with Taiwan

(Chinese Taipei) as a renegade province under PROC sovereignty.

The current Kuomintang leadership are Taiwan-born, thus fueling local nationalism and independence.

Formal declaration of independence could result in a PROC offensive.

Flashpoint #3

The South China Sea The flashpoint closest to home. The contested Kalayaan Island Group

(KIG) is only a few nautical miles off Palawan.

The flashpoint stems from overlapping claims of neighboring states.

The Philippine stake on the SCS is great due to potential oil and gas deposits in the water.

More importantly, the Philippines must first settle the issue of adherence between the Treaty of Paris and UNCLOS.

The South China Sea

Flashpoint #4

The India-Pakistan Conflict Stems from ethno-religious animosity

between the two states. The battle space of the conflict lies in

Kashmir over accession issue in 1947. Regional Nuclear Arms Race: A mini

US-USSR rivalry sans resources.

Coalition of the Willing Guided by twin desire:

to ensure immediate and long-term safety of Filipinos in the Middle East and

to deprive terrorists of the ability to use or threaten the use of weapons of mass destruction

UNSC Resolution 1472 of 28 March 2003 which states that the UN “calls on the international community to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq….”

Coalition of the Willing

Coalition of the Willing The case of Angelo De La Cruz put

to the balance international commitments as against national interest

The withdrawal of Philippine contingent caused a stir both locally and internationally

A classic example of the primordial value of human life, particularly of a Filipino life, prevailing over an international commitment

An Inconvenient Truth: Addressing Environmental Concerns in the Philippine Foreign Affairs

The Keystone: Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (WCED 1987).

The Keystone: Sustainable Development Entails social and structural economic

transformations which optimize the economic and societal benefits available in the present, without jeopardizing or compromising the likely potential for similar benefits in the future.

Providing a quality of life that is sustained from generation-to-generation.

Ensuring the survival of all species within the biosphere even those that do not benefit the human life form.

The Keystone: Sustainable Development

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=12148 Retrieved 21 September 2007

The International Agreements

The Kyoto Protocol Amendment to the UN Framework

Convention on Climate Change Sets mandatory emission limitations

for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the signatory nations

The Philippines ratified the agreement on 16 February 2005

The Montreal Protocol A landmark agreement designed to

protect the stratospheric ozone layer. Stipulates the production and

consumption of compounds that deplete the ozone in the stratosphere, e.g., CFCs

Ratified by the Philippines on 17 July 1991

The Rio Declaration Also known as the Earth Summit Adopted in Stockholm on 18 June

1972 Intended to guide future sustainable

development around the world Translated in Philippine context into

the Philippine Agenda 21

Blue Print for Sustainable Development: Philippine Agenda 21

Philippine Agenda 21 In line with the World Summit on

Sustainable Development which was held in Johannesburg a decade after the Rio Summit,

Identified 5 priority environmental issues:water supply and sanitationEnergyBiodiversityPoverty Alleviation and HealthDesertification.

Philippine Agenda 21 Envisions a better quality of life for all,

through the development of a just, moral, creative, spiritual, economically-vibrant, caring, diverse yet cohesive society

Characterized by appropriate productivity, participatory and democratic processes, and living in harmony within the limits of the carrying capacity of nature and the integrity of creation.

Philippine Legislations on the Environment

Philippine Legislations Responses of the Legislative Branch

to address environmental concerns locally and internationally.

Aids in providing an atmosphere conducive to foreign investments.

Stands as a testimony to the State’s commitment to international obligations.

The Clean Air Act The National Integrated Protected

Areas Systems (NIPA) Act The Conservation and Protection of

Wildlife and Their Habitats Act The Ecological Waste Management

Act The Toxic Substances and Hazardous

and Nuclear Wastes Act

Philippine Legislations

Conclusion The Cold War is over No more brinkmanship and East-West

tension In a sense, diplomacy seemed easier

and more manageable then. Everything was either black or white.

Conclusion There is only one superpower Peace and security remains elusive Who is now the “enemy or enemies of

the State?” Is it another State? A person? A

contentious issue? A natural phenomenon? Or an ill-timed, ill-advised decision?

One thing is certain In this Global, Transnational Age, acts

or decisions made by one State can have tremendous and implications impact not only locally, but more importantly, internationally.

States need to formulate policies that are responsive to the current reality and needs.

The take of the Philippines The Philippines should carefully

balance its international commitment with what it identifies as its national interests.

Between the two, the primordial concern ought to be the promotion and protection of national interests.

Up next…. The Threats and Opportunities of

Philippine Foreign Affairs Philippine Foreign Policy and the

Universal Good: The Ethical, Ideal Perspective in a Global Age

Principal Sources Philippine Diplomacy in the 21st

Century, Conference Proceedings, 28 November 2003 (April 2004). Makati: Hanns Seidel Foundation

Almonte, Jose T. New Directions and Priorities in Philippine Foreign Relations (1998). Asia Society.

Shukran, Habibi!

The Decision-Making Process

<http://www.geocities.com/cfidarren/crmfund.htm> Retrieved 20 September 2007

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