AS we await the outcome of the Philippines’ case before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), we should think about our long-term foreign policy vision. What do we hope to achieve through our foreign policy, in its broadest, boldest aims? What does the Philippines stand for internationally and in the region, and how do we hope to embody those values and achieve those ends? It is exigent that we think now about these things, because we are approaching a presidential election and because the decision by the ITLOS will not resolve all the disputes in the West Philippine Sea—this is a multifaceted, overlapping conflict that will be with us for many decades. So we must think longer and larger, even as we support our case. Moreover, even as we position ourselves to secure maximal gains in the West Philippine Sea, we should not get mired in these conflicts to the detriment of our larger vision as to what our foreign policy hopes to build.

When dealing with China, and with the international political powers more generally, scholars observe among Filipinos the persistence of an outmoded Cold War mindset that no longer reflects reality. This has prevented the development of an independent, pragmatic, and flexible Philippine foreign policy. What one would hope to achieve under the administration of the next President of the Philippines are more effective, sophisticated, and pragmatic statecraft and an inspiring, ambitious long-term vision that transcends a mere six-year term and advances the future that our nation desires for the Filipino people. If this is achieved, rather than appearing as an inconsistent and self-interested partner to ASEAN, there is an opportunity for the Philippines to emerge as an independent, visionary partner in foreign affairs and to be part of the ongoing work to establish and deepen Southeast Asia as a region.

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