Manila, Feb. 19 -- It bears no project name, but the ultimate objective is to maximize and revitalize, in the strongest possible terms, stronger relationships and cooperation with the country's long-term allies, both in terms of economic stability and geographical security.

This has been one of the thrusts of the Bagong Pilipinas, being espoused by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as a brand of governance and leadership that would catapult the Philippines to the next level.

President Marcos reiterated this during the high-level general debate of the 77th session of the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly in September 2022 at the UN headquarters in New York. As much as he could, the President said, he wanted the Philippines to be friend...