Diplomats, policy makers, and other experts listened and fielded questions from Ambassador Romualdez during the forum. | Photo by Philippine Embassy Press and Information Section
Last Wednesday, I had the privilege once again of appearing in The Washington Diplomat’s “Ambassador Insider Series” – a highly regarded forum hosted by one of Washington’s most influential media institutions. The Washington Diplomat has long served as a respected platform for the diplomatic community, attracting an audience that includes top US government officials, policymakers, think tank leaders, business executives, and key opinion-shapers.
It was meaningful to return to the program; my last appearance had been in 2018. Since then, the publication’s publisher, Victor Shiblie, has become a close personal friend, and he graciously welcomed the opportunity for us to share updates on the Philippines’ most pressing challenges and opportunities. The session, moderated by senior news editor Larry Luxner, was a candid question-and-answer conversation that covered climate change, economic trends, national security, and our evolving relationship with the United States and China.
With COP30 now underway in Belém, Brazil, it was no surprise that the first question I received centered on climate change – particularly the Philippines’ vulnerability to increasingly severe weather disturbances, including recent typhoons Kalmaegi (Tino) and Fung-Wong (Uwan).
I explained that our geographic location places us squarely in the path of 20 to 25 typhoons on average each year – storms that have grown more destructive over time. The government now spends three to four billion dollars annually on recovery and reconstruction. In the last five to six years alone, climate-related disasters have caused an estimated $35 to $40 billion in damage. This reality is why the government has set aside substantial funds for climate-related relief and rehabilitation. Sad to say, the current corruption scandal the country is facing centers on the administration’s flood control infrastructure projects, which are further exacerbating the situation. The government now faces a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” quagmire. Everyone from the outside looking in can only hope and pray that the country does not fall into another death trap.
Since the United States withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, countries like the Philippines have had to push even harder for major greenhouse gas emitters to take greater responsibility. We are actively encouraging nations to adopt a broader, more urgent vision for climate resilience – one that recognizes the shared responsibility of all countries in mitigating the global impact of climate change.
During the forum, I was also asked about the Philippines’ efforts to increase defense spending and the current trajectory of US-Philippines relations. I emphasized a point we consistently make to friends in the US Congress: our security relationship with the United States is inseparable from our economic prosperity and strength. We aspire to spend two percent of our GDP on defense, but this is only possible if our economy continues to expand robustly. A stronger economy means greater capacity to modernize our military and to become an even more capable mutual defense partner of the United States.
“This shared view explains the strong support the Philippines has received from the international community. Allies and partners alike recognize that the path we champion – respect for the rule of law and freedom of navigation – is essential not only for regional stability but also for the global economy.”
For example, upgrading our Air Force is one of our highest priorities, and acquiring F-16 fighters remains part of our strategic modernization goals. But we have made clear that we are not asking the American taxpayer to shoulder the cost. Our objective is to build an economically resilient Philippines – one fully capable of investing in its own security. Stronger economic trade with our partners is a key element to this whole objective.
Regarding the tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, I shared that negotiations are ongoing, with hopes of concluding early next year. We fully understand the rationale behind the tariffs and their importance to US domestic interests. However, we continue to negotiate for exemptions on products critical to Philippine livelihoods, including coconut-based goods – an abundant resource for us and one that is produced commercially in only a handful of US states, such as Florida and Hawaii, and certainly not in the northeastern seaboard.
But as expected, questions inevitably shifted to China, the South China Sea, and the broader geostrategic landscape in Asia. As I have often stated – both in public forums and in this column – I continue to remain hopeful that disputes with China can still be settled peacefully. Our recourse to the Permanent Court of Arbitration and its historic 2016 ruling in our favor underscores our commitment to resolving issues through the rule of law. We have since garnered strong international support for our position that adherence to international law is the only sustainable path forward.
Economically, while China is our largest trading partner, our economy is not solely dependent on it. Many countries seek areas of cooperation with a large economy like China, and so do we. We continue to make it clear that cooperation in mutually beneficial sectors remains welcome. But on matters concerning our sovereignty and territorial integrity, our position is firm and non-negotiable.
I highlighted to the audience that many nations now believe no single country should dominate the critical sea lanes of the South China Sea – waterways through which trillions of dollars in global commerce pass every year. This shared view explains the strong support the Philippines has received from the international community. Allies and partners alike recognize that the path we champion – respect for the rule of law and freedom of navigation – is essential not only for regional stability but also for the global economy.
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