By Katrina Gracia Consebido
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, stressed the significance of setting an example to other nations on how to resolve differences and conflicts.
In his high-end debate speech during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Marcos said that differences should be settled “through peaceful means” and “through reason and through right.”
He cited the cautious management of resources in the Manila Declaration and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982 as “useful guidance for our time.”
“For amidst the challenging global tides, an important ballast stabilizes our common vessel. That is, our open, inclusive, and rules-based international order that is governed by international law and informed by the principles of equity and of justice,” Marcos said.
Marcos said the Filipinos even in the past have always chosen to be united as a nation and choose peace over war.
“Our peoples chose survival. They choose cooperation. They chose peace. And by doing so, they made history,” he added.
Be a friend to all, and an enemy to none
In his speech, Marcos emphasized that the country will remain a companion to other states while abiding by an inclusive and rules-based foreign policy by international law.
“As I have underscored, the Philippines shall continue to be a friend to all, and an enemy of none,” he said.
Marcos was open to the public that he urged everyone for unity even during the election period, believing that working together is a major key in nation-building.
“The peoples of the world look to their leaders, to us to make into reality these aspirations for our future. We must not fail them. And if we stand together, we will not fail them. If we stand together, we can only succeed,” Marcos said.
“Let us dream, let us work for those successes for all our nations, united!,” he added. – gb
