COMMENTARY.

Byline: Albert F. del Rosario

PHILIPPINE foreign policy is rooted in the country's core democratic values.

These are enshrined in the basic law of the land to reflect our understanding of our place in the global order. The Philippines is a friend to all countries and enemy to none. The country does not seek disputes but it will always protect its interests through peaceful means that follow international law and based on rules that promote the equal rights of all nation-states.

NATIONAL INTEREST

It is our values and principles as a people that define our national interest.

Our Constitution is replete with principles that we must observe in the conduct of our foreign policy. We are required to pursue an independent foreign policy which protects our national sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as promotes the national interest and our right to self- determination. We have as a nation renounced war as an instrument of national policy. We have adopted generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law …