MANILA, Philippines – Malugod na sinalubong ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang bagong taon na may mansahe na pag-asa, optimismo at pasasalamat.
Binigyang diin ng Pangulo ang diplomatic progress ng Pilipinas at ang napipintong papel nito bilang chairman ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Naganap ang okasyon sa panahon ng tradisyonal na “vin d’honneur”, isang diplomatic na pagtitipon na idinadaos tuwing Bagong Taon at Independence Day, may tanda ng pagpapalitan ng toasts sa pagitan ng Pangulo ng PIlipinas at Papal Nuncio, nagsilbi bilang Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.
“I am delighted to welcome you as we usher in 2026, inspired by a renewed sense of hope, optimism, and vitality. We find many reasons to be grateful for the years that have passed, and even more reasons to remain hopeful and resolute as we look ahead,” ayon kay Pangulong Marcos.
Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na sa kabila ng global challenges gaya ng ‘economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, climate-related issues, at mabilis na technological transformation,” ang Pilipinas ay gumawa ng makabuluhang hakbang sa pagbuo ng ‘meaningful at mutually beneficial partnerships.’
Binigyang diin ni Pangulong Marcos ang pagtatatag ng bagong foreign service posts noong 2025, kabilang na ang embahada sa Suva, Fiji, at consulates general sa Seattle, USA, Busan, South Korea, at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Para sa taong 2026, inaprubahan nito ang pagbubukas ng mga embahada sa Astana, Kazakhstan, at Accra, Ghana, at maging bilang consulate general sa Miami, Florida.
“This is a crucial part of our proactive effort to extend our global reach to pursue new opportunities for cooperation and bring our services closer to the millions of Filipinos living and working overseas,” ang paliwanag ng Pangulo.
Welcome din sa Pangulo ang pagtatatag ng mga bagong embahada sa Maynila ng Peru, Slovak Republic, at Ukraine, at inanunsyo na ang PIlipinas ay pormal na nagtatag ng diplomatic relations kasama ang Bhutan, Grenada, at Madagascar noong 2025. Ang mga bagong ugnayan, aniya ay commitment ng bansa sa sa pagbuo ng partnership sa iba’t ibang rehiyon.
Sa kabilang dako, binigyang diin ni Pangulong Marcos ang pag-upo ng Pilipinas sa ASEAN chairship ngayong 2026 sa ilalim ng temang Navigating Our Future Together.
Binalangkas din ng Pangulo ang tatlong praroidad: “peace and security anchors, prosperity corridors, at people empowerment.”
“These priorities will direct ASEAN’s efforts to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on regional security, deepen economic integration through innovation and sustainability, and uplift the lives and resilience of the peoples of ASEAN member states,” aniya pa rin.
Muli rin niyang pinagtibay ang kampanya ng Pilipinas para sa isang non-permanent seat sa United Nations Security Council para sa 2027 hanggang 2028.
“If entrusted with this responsibility, the Philippines will be principled and constructive — a voice that will champion the rule of law, protect civilians, promote conflict prevention, and amplify the perspectives of small and middle powers,” ang inihayag ni Pangulong Marcos.
Samantala, nagpahayag naman ng kanyang psasalamat si Dean of The Diplomatic Corps, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Most Reverend Charles Brown III para sa hospitality ng mga mamamayang filipino at pinuri ang commitment ng gobyerno na puksain ang korapsyon.
“We commend you for your State of the Nation Address last July, and for your denunciation of those who seek to steal the future of Filipinos through corruption, especially in the area of public works projects. Your government’s continuing commitment to eradicating the affliction of corruption has the complete support of all of us,” ang sinabi ni Brown.
Binigyang diin nito ang ASEAN chairship ng Pilipinas ngayong 2026, sabay sabing potensiyal ito para makamit ang ‘great good’ para sa Southeast Asia.
“We were heartened by the vision you presented in your speech at the national launch of the Philippine chairship, in particular for your focus that evening on artificial intelligence,” ang sinabi ni Brown.
Idinagdag pa niya na ang pagpo-promote sa “safe, ethical, responsible, equitable, and sustainable adoption of AI in all areas, such as trade facilitation, digitalization, and innovation, will indeed enhance regional competitiveness, support micro, small, and medium enterprises, and unlock new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth.” (KRIS JOSE)
