Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo believes there is now a "new chapter" in the relations between the Philippines and Australia with the recent forging of a strategic partnership.

Speaking at a forum in Adelaide on Monday, Oct. 9, Manalo noted the still growing cooperation between the two countries after 77 years of diplomatic relationship.

"This new appellation reflects not only the strength of our partnership, but also the depth of our interests and our commitment to the role and responsibilities of the Philippines-Australia relationship in our evolving geopolitical landscape," he said.

Defense is a "cornerstone" of Philippines-Australian cooperation, Manalo said.

"Next to the United States, Australia is the Philippines’ second-largest partner in defense and security cooperation and one of only two Status of Visiting Forces Agreement partners. This focuses on counter-terrorism, maritime security as well as the Modernization Program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," he said.

As the defense ties of the two sides are "ever on guard to ensure that the threat of militancy and terrorism do not ever again disturb the peace of our communities," Manalo expressed confidence that Manila and Canberra "will always find anchor in our common resolve to contribute to promoting and preserving a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific."

Meanwhile, the country's top diplomat also believed the Philippines must sustain the confidence and dynamism it has with Australia in terms of trade.

This came as Australia emerged as the Philippines' 14th major trading partner in 2022, while it is also consistently among the top 15 sources of foreign investments in the Philippines, Manalo said.

"Further expansion is foreseen in light of regional economic integration initiatives, and tailwinds of the post- pandemic resurgence in the Indo-Pacific economies," he said.

Manalo also noted Australia's support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional bloc among Southeast Asian nations where the Philippines belongs to, especially that the latter "holds the distinction as ASEAN’s first dialogue partner as well as its first Comprehensive Strategic Partner."

He said he trusts that the Philippines-Australia relations will strengthen the support of such a rules-based regional architecture.

Manalo pushed for other areas to work on with Australia, such as advancing climate-smart, green transition, and economic development oriented to sustainability, resilience and inclusion.

• He said, "for the Philippines, advancing the bilateral relationship means its being more people- focused."

That is done "through outcomes that generate jobs and impact on communities, whether through resilient health systems, food security, disaster resilience, safe cyberspace for children, and sound environment," he added.