By Darryl John Esguerra
Malacañang on Monday acknowledged that gains made in protecting the Philippines’ interests and maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) could change under the next administration, underscoring President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for continuity in the country’s efforts.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. warned that a change in administration following the 2028 elections could affect the momentum of the country’s WPS strategy.
Teodoro said the next administration may not necessarily reverse the current approach but could slow down efforts to strengthen the country’s territorial defense and assertion of its rights in the WPS.
Castro said Marcos has previously expressed his desire for the next leadership to continue the initiatives his administration has started, particularly the efforts to protect Philippine interests, territory and maritime rights.
“Nagsalita na po even before ang ating Pangulo na ang nais niya na sa susunod na liderato ay makakapagpatuloy ng mga naumpisahan na po niya kasama na rin po dito ang pagpapaprotekta sa ating interes, sa ating teritoryo, pati na dito sa ating mga maritime rights sa West Philippine Sea (The President has previously said that he wants the next leadership to continue what he has started, including the protection of our interests, territory and maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea),” Castro said in a Palace briefing.
Castro acknowledged that a different policy direction under the next leadership could affect the gains made by the current administration.
“Kung ang liderato po na ito ay masasabing leader na hindi maka-Pilipino, Pilipino man pero hindi ang puso ay maka-Pilipino at hindi maka-Pilipinas… Maiiba po talaga ang mga nangyari at kung anuman iyong na-gain ng administrasyon na ito patungkol sa pagprotekta sa ating mga karapatan, talagang malamang na mababago (If this leadership can be described as a leader that is not pro-Filipino, Filipino by nationality but whose heart is not for Filipinos and the Philippines… then what happened would really be different, and whatever this administration has gained in terms of protecting our rights would most likely change),” she said.
She added that the President hopes the next leader would continue prioritizing Philippine interests.
“Ipagdasal nating lahat, sana ay isang lider na maka-Pilipino, ang puso ay para sa Pilipinas at hindi para sa isang bansa na ang poprotektahan ay ang interes ng ibang bansa (Let us all pray that the leader will be pro-Filipino, whose heart is for the Philippines and not for a country whose interests will be protected),” Castro said.
Teodoro, meanwhile, said the 2028 elections would be significant to the country’s continuing assertion of its rights in the WPS.
He said the current administration has institutionalized mechanisms, particularly within the Armed Forces of the Philippines, intended to ensure continuity in programs strengthening sovereignty and territorial defense.
However, he cautioned that the elected president has control over the country’s foreign policy, leaving open the possibility of a change in momentum after the elections.
Teodoro has also described the WPS as an important issue in the 2028 national elections, citing the long-term implications of present-day decisions on the country’s territory, resources and future generations
