Filipinos' current lack of knowledge and awareness on maritime issues and long-term vision of the leadership has hindered the country from developing a strategic foreign policy agenda, a policy expert said.

University of the Philippines maritime law expert Professor Jay Batongbacal made the statement during the UP-Diliman (UPD) #PILIpiLUNAS2022 webinar on strategic Philippine foreign relations..

He stated that in the context of the country's maritime interest, shortcomings on how the Philippines has handled maritime disputes are very clear, especially in the West Philippine Sea.

“The West Philippine Sea literally is, first and foremost, integral to our national life and our future progress. It is something that we need to maintain in order to maintain the integrity of the country itself,” he added.

During the webinar, other Philippine foreign policy experts urged the government to strengthen and expand its independent foreign policy and promote maritime interests by involving the general public.

Section 7, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that the country shall pursue an independent foreign policy with paramount consideration to national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and right to self-determination.

UP Political Science Chair Professor Herman Joseph Kraft echoed Batongbacal's statement and also emphasized that foreign policy issues should be part of the public discourse.

“Create multiple platforms where foreign policy issues get to be discussed, disseminated and where we involve the public and I think one starting point would be to make sure these kinds of forum get to be discussed in Filipino, perhaps, so that it reaches more people,” said Kraft.

On the other hand, UP Professor Maria Thaemar Tana noted that the role of public opinion in foreign policy is not that significant and the public seems to be relatively indifferent to international developments except when the interest of certain groups is involved and the threat is already imminent.

She explained that domestic discourse on foreign policy issues should be improved, deepened and expanded.

“The suggestion is to include the public in the domestic discourse in order for the public to really understand what the stakes are and to help pressure and encourage our foreign policy executives in formulating and implementing policies that would benefit everyone,” Tana said.

#PILIpiLUNAS 2022 is a webinar series organized by the UPD Office of the Chancellor, to present research-based policy recommendations for a governance agenda in the 2022 national elections and beyond. The series will run from August 2021 to March 2022.