Speaker Martin Romualdez (for left) delivers his keynote address in front of foreign diplomats during the briefing on immunities and privileges on July 20, 2023 at Diamond Hotel in Manila. The event was organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).






With members of the diplomat corp as his audience, House Speaker Martin Romualdez trumpeted the Marcos administration’s foreign policy of the Philippines being "a friend to all and enemy to none". Romualdez attended on Thursday, July 20 a briefing on diplomatic immunities and privileges at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. The event was organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). In his remarks, Romualdez said the briefing was aligned with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s foreign relations mantra: “The Philippines is a friend to all and enemy to none.” The Speaker, leader of the House of Representatives, said the immunities and privileges the government grants diplomats assigned to the country are clear expressions of friendship the Philippines extends to other nations. “They provide you with the necessary access and facilitation that you need to carry out your duties as envoys. More importantly, these also express, in a way, our appreciation of your countries’ grant of the same privileges and immunities to our own diplomats who are stationed abroad, pursuant to the principle of reciprocity in international relations,” he explained. Meanwhile, Romualdez told the foreign diplomats that Philippine Congress (the House and the Senate) is looking forward to possible collaboration with other parliaments on matters of mutual interest. “I would like to emphasize that we are very interested in establishing relations with our counterparts in other countries, through Parliamentary Friendship Associations and similar initiatives. I hope those of you whose countries do not yet have such initiatives will consider making a recommendation to your legislators,” he said. He said his office and the DFA “will be more than happy to work with you in this area". Romualdez commended the DFA for holding the briefing and thanked Secretary Enrique Manalo for inviting him to address it. “The world does not stand still. Bilateral relations evolve as they must, necessitating that immunities and privileges be periodically reviewed and updated to make sure that they are reflective of the current environment, and continue to serve the best interests of all parties involved,” he said.