President Marcos has expressed his desire to further flourish the Philippines' relationship with its international partners as he thanked them for their role in ensuring the country's success.

Marcos said this as he led the yearly Vin D'Honneur for members of the Diplomatic Corps in Malacañan on Independence Day Wednesday, June 12.

In his toast, the President noted how he had many conversations with the representatives from the different countries and thanked them for their commitment to aiding the Philippines.

"I was noticing when we were welcoming the different ambassadors, how much conversation we all had with each other and this is an indication of all the many things that we have started in the past year or so and the things that we are following up," he said.

"We look to many of our friends and allies for all the assistance they have given us. If we have met with any kind of success, that success... Your assistance has been an enormous part of that success and for that, we thank you," he added.

"For the engagements that we have made in the past year or so, I thank you for that, too. And we look forward to continuing that," he continued.

According to Marcos, the reception was a strong affirmation of nationhood and the Filipino people's collective duty to safeguard the freedom their forefathers fought and died for.

Economic state

In his toast, President Marcos said the country has done a good job in weathering the effects of different economic challenges, noting that the Philippines' inflation rate is at 3.5 percent, or within the government's target band of two to four percent.

"Despite the woes brought about by global inflation, our country has still managed to curb inflation to a reasonable — almost manageable level. It remains unfortunately our greatest problem," he said.

"Nonetheless, I think that we have done a good job and with this... It is a very large improvement from the situation that we were under maybe a year ago," he added.

Marcos was happy to report that the Philippines continues to enjoy a good credit rating as an investment destination, particularly its stable outlook which signals growth momentum in the medium term.

"It translates to more accessible financing for our government and for our programs," he said.

"So, we will maintain that status and we will try to improve that and across all major regional and international debt [rating] agencies," he added.

According to the President, the Philippines continues to work on its growth, citing the country has been forecast to have one of the highest growth rates for 2025.

"I think that this bodes well for the transformation of our economy, especially as we are trying to recover from the effects of our very bad drought and trying to prepare for what is coming with the rainy season," he said.

International policy

President Marcos said the Philippines will continue charting an independent foreign policy through international engagements that seek to boost existing alliances and build new partnerships with like-minded nations.

"Our foreign policy is grounded on the continuing promotion and work for peace, and the continuing promotion and work for our national interest," he said.

"Our foreign policy is grounded on the continuing promotion and work for peace, and the continuing promotion and work for our national interest," he added.

As the Philippines continues to promote diplomacy and dialogue in its efforts to “build bridges in various multilateral advocacies, Marcos said the government will move to enhance engagements with bilateral, regional, and multilateral partners, especially in areas where cooperation has not yet reached its full potential.

"With Bagong Pilipinas, it is with confidence that I say that we are engaging the world for our country and for our people," he said.

Meanwhile, in the same event, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, the Most Reverend Archbishop Charles John Brown, who also serves as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, expressed support for the Philippines and congratulated it for its achievements.

"The international community supports and indeed congratulates the Philippines for the impressive progress that has been made in these years," he said in his toast.

He, however, raised the importance of patient dialogue amid the "dangerous polarization" the world continues to experience.

"If you want to make a world of safety and prosperity for our children, the way forward for all of us is the same path that has brought the hope of peace to the people of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and Muslim Mindanao. And that is the path of dialogue. Patient, serious, dialogue," Brown said.

"Together with a respect for international law and a respect for genuine diversity, engaging with others, particularly those with whom we profoundly disagree, is the surest way of avoiding the catastrophe of escalation," he added.