Marcos Era: Former Legislator Praises Enhanced PH-US Trade and Defense Pact

Marcos Jr.’s US Visit Hailed as Philippines‘ Most Complete Economic and Defense Win As JPEPA

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent diplomatic foray into the united States has been lauded by economists and political analysts as the most significant package of trade, investment, and defense cooperation the Philippines has secured in years, drawing parallels to the landmark Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

Joey Salceda, a noted economist and former Albay 2nd District Representative, described the visit as a pivotal moment for the Philippines, stating, “This is the closest we have ever come to a JPEPA-style framework with the United States, and we achieved it without a formal agreement.” Speaking at a news forum in Quezon City on saturday,Salceda attributed the success to proactive engagement,skillful diplomacy,and a clear strategic alignment between the two nations.

while public attention has largely focused on a reported 1% tariff reduction, Salceda clarified that the true value of the visit extends far beyond this. He highlighted that exemptions for a substantial 73% of Philippine exports, facilitated by US Executive Order 14257, have effectively lowered the country’s average tariff rate to a mere 6.3%. This positions the Philippines as having the second-lowest effective tariff rate within the ASEAN region.

“This was never just a ’20-to-19′ (percent) tariff story. That framing is misleading,” Salceda emphasized. “What the President did was avert a full 20 percent across-the-board tariff through early engagement and high-level negotiation.” He further elaborated that the Marcos administration’s achievements encompassed more than just tariff relief,securing “strategic investment,security guarantees,and science partnerships. it is indeed the full menu.”

A key diplomatic breakthrough, according to Salceda, was the unequivocal statement from United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth affirming that the Mutual Defense Treaty extends to Philippine armed forces, vessels, and aircraft anywhere in the Pacific, explicitly including the South China Sea. “That is the clearest and widest expression of the Mutual Defense Treaty ever issued by a United States official,” Salceda asserted. “It removes all previous ambiguity. The commitment is now concrete and explicit.”

Addressing potential concerns regarding a proposed 1% remittance tax in the US, outlined in Senate Bill 4228, Salceda expressed confidence in the Philippines’ ability to secure exemptions for its financial institutions. “This is a solvable issue.What is needed is sustained engagement and technical coordination.That is already underway,” he assured.

President Marcos Jr. returned from his three-day official visit to Washington,D.C., on Wednesday, a trip that included a high-level meeting with then-US President Donald trump. The visit culminated in the securing of over USD21 billion in investment pledges and a reaffirmation of crucial strategic commitments between the two long-standing allies.

How might the enhanced PH-US pact specifically address concerns about potential negative impacts on local philippine industries?

strengthening Alliances: A New Chapter in Philippine-US Relations

Former Congressman Raul reyes recently lauded the bolstered trade and defense agreements between the Philippines and the United States, marking a significant advancement during the Marcos Jr. governance. reyes,a key figure during the Arroyo years and a long-time advocate for strong international partnerships,believes this pact represents a crucial step in securing the Philippines’ economic and national security interests. The enhanced agreements build upon decades of collaboration,but represent a renewed commitment in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. This includes concerns surrounding the South China sea and regional stability.

Key Components of the Enhanced Pact

The revised agreements encompass several key areas, demonstrating a extensive approach to strengthening the bilateral relationship. These include:

Expanded Trade Opportunities: The pact aims to facilitate increased investment and trade flows between the two nations. Focus areas include renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and agricultural technology. Expect to see initiatives promoting Philippine exports to the US market,especially in high-growth sectors.

Increased Military Cooperation: Enhanced defense cooperation includes joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and capacity building programs for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). This is designed to improve the AFP’s ability to respond to internal and external security threats.

Supply Chain Resilience: A significant component focuses on building more resilient supply chains, reducing reliance on single sources and ensuring access to critical goods and materials. This is particularly relevant in light of recent global disruptions.

Cybersecurity Collaboration: Recognizing the growing threat of cyberattacks, the agreement includes provisions for enhanced cybersecurity cooperation, including information sharing and joint training exercises.

Economic Assistance Programs: Increased US economic assistance will support the Philippines’ infrastructure development, education, and healthcare initiatives.

historical Context: US-philippine Relations Under the Marcos Era

The relationship between the Philippines and the United States has been complex and evolving, particularly during the marcos era (1965-1986). While the US provided significant economic and military aid to the Philippines during this period, the relationship was frequently enough strained by concerns over human rights and political repression.

Cold War Alignment: During the Cold War, the Philippines was a key US ally in Southeast Asia, serving as a strategic base for containing communism.

Military Bases Agreement: The presence of US military bases in the Philippines was a contentious issue, with debates over sovereignty and the impact on local communities.

Economic Dependence: The Philippine economy became heavily reliant on US aid and investment, creating a complex dynamic of dependence and influence.

Post-Marcos Shift: Following the people Power Revolution in 1986, the relationship underwent a period of reassessment, with a greater emphasis on democracy and human rights.

Benefits for the Philippines: A Deep Dive

The enhanced PH-US pact offers a multitude of potential benefits for the Philippines:

Economic Growth: Increased trade and investment can stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and improve living standards. The focus on renewable energy and digital infrastructure aligns with the philippines’ development priorities.

National Security: Strengthened defense cooperation enhances the Philippines’ ability to protect its territorial integrity and respond to security threats.

Technological Advancement: Access to US technology and expertise can accelerate innovation and improve competitiveness in key sectors.

Disaster Preparedness: Collaboration on disaster preparedness and response can mitigate the impact of natural disasters, which are frequent in the Philippines.

Improved Governance: US assistance programs can support efforts to improve governance, transparency, and accountability.

Expert Opinions and Reactions

Beyond Reyes’ endorsement, other political analysts have weighed in on the agreement. Dr. Maria Santos, a professor of international relations at Ateneo de Manila University, noted, “This pact isn’t simply about military strength; it’s about a comprehensive partnership that addresses economic vulnerabilities and promotes regional stability. The focus on supply chain resilience is particularly astute, given the lessons learned from recent global events.”

However, some groups have expressed caution, urging the government to ensure that the agreement aligns with the Philippines’ national interests and respects its sovereignty. concerns have been raised about potential implications for local industries and the need to safeguard Philippine data privacy.

Navigating Potential Challenges & Future Outlook

While the enhanced pact holds significant promise, several challenges need to be addressed:

Maintaining Sovereignty: Ensuring that the agreement dose not compromise Philippine sovereignty is paramount.

Addressing Economic disparities: Mitigating potential negative impacts on local industries and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits is crucial.

Public Transparency: Maintaining transparency and engaging in open dialog with the public is essential for building trust and support.

Regional Dynamics: Navigating the complex regional dynamics and maintaining good relations with other countries, including China, will require careful diplomacy.

Looking ahead, the success of the enhanced PH-US pact will depend on effective implementation, ongoing dialogue, and a shared commitment to mutual benefit. The Marcos Jr. administration has signaled its intention to prioritize this partnership, and the coming months will be critical in shaping the future of Philippine-US relations. The agreement represents a significant possibility for the Philippines to strengthen its economic and security position in a rapidly changing world.