San juan city: Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro on Wednesday said Filipinos can expect stronger partnerships and alliances with more nations in the final stretch of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s term. 'In the Bagong Pilipinas, we will strengthen our alliances with countries all over the world to bring benefits to our Filipino nationals,' Lazaro said during the post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) discussions in San Juan City.

According to Philippines News Agency, she highlighted the fruits of Philippine diplomacy, such as the development assistance that countries are pouring into the country, including infrastructure and defense capabilities. By leveraging partnerships and alliances, the DFA chief said Manila is also able to get support in championing the rule of law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.

'There will be more countries where we will establish relations. Now, we're finished with Europe. We're now going to South America and Africa,' Lazaro said in a separate interview. Marcos, in his fourth SONA on Monday, said he would continue to chart a 'friend to all, enemy to none' foreign policy. At the same time, he assured that Manila would be resolute in protecting Filipino interests both within its territory and abroad.

While keeping its line open to dialogue with claimant states in the South China Sea, the Philippines under the Marcos administration is also doubling efforts to deepen its security relations with more like-minded states. The Chief Executive did not specifically mention the West Philippine Sea in his address, but Lazaro said this does not signal the government softening its stance on the issue.

'He has already said that in his last SONA, and we know what we are tasked to do. Security agencies know their part, and the DFA knows the issue,' she said. 'This is why it's 'friend to all, enemy to none'-our diplomacy continues,' she added.