Australian think tank Lowy Institute has hailed President Marcos as one of the most interesting, influential, and closely-watched leaders in Southeast Asia, especially for defending the country's sovereignty.

Lowy Institute Executive Director Dr. Michael Fullilove said this as he introduced Marcos ahead of the latter's keynote speech on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne on Monday, March 4.

In his remarks, Fullilove urged the public to look at the developments in the Philippines since Marcos assumed his post in June 2022.

"In the period since his election in 2022, President Marcos has emerged as one of the most interesting, influential, closely watched leaders in Southeast Asia," he said.

"If there’s anyone who thinks individuals don’t matter in politics, I’d invite them to look at the changes in the Philippines in the past 18 months, in particular the way that Manila has become so much more determined to defend its sovereignty," he added.

During his speech at the Lowy Institute, President Marcos was applauded for strongly standing his ground on the West Philippine Sea disputes and that the Philippine government is upgrading its capabilities to defend its sovereignty.

However, he said this was all part of his primordial duty as the country's leader.

“I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. And the first article of our Constitution is the definition of our territory, maritime and otherwise,” Marcos said.

"When I came into office, we simply have no choice, we must defend the territory of the republic. And that is a primordial duty of a leader," he added.

Strong economy

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles recognized how strong the Philippine economy has remained under President Marcos' administration despite global crises facing world economies.

He likewise lauded Marcos for being "proactive" in addressing the Philippine economy post-pandemic, particularly in reducing inflation.

"Emerging from the pandemic, a key focus for President Marcos has been his economy, and they are very proactive on that. As we began this year, inflation was reducing, and in terms of economic growth, there was no stronger economy than the Philippines in Southeast Asia," Marles said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported in January that inflation for December 2023 further slowed down to 3.9 percent from 4.1 percent in November 2023, bringing the full-year average inflation rate to 6.0 percent.

PH-Australia ties

Meanwhile, Fullilove said Marcos' visit to Canberra last week to address the Australian Parliament emphasized his "crucial role" as a leader in ASEAN.

He said Marcos might be the only leader to make consecutive visits to Australia, an act he described as a sign of the closeness between the two island nations.

"One symbol of how close this relationship has become is this is actually the President's second visit to Australia in a week. Last week, he had his remarkably successful visit to Canberra and he is now back in Melbourne for the Special Summit," Fullilove said.

"I think you may be the first world leader in history, Mr. President, to visit Australia twice in a couple of days," he added.

Fullilove hoped that Marcos could visit the Lowy Institute headquarters in Sydney soon.

"Let me just say: I know you were in Canberra last week; you're in Melbourne this week. If you happen to be in Sydney next week, please come and visit us at the Lowy Institute," he said.