Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
THE incoming Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration is poised to elevate the image of the Philippines further in the global stage given a variety of factors. The Philippines is geographically situated at a critical flashpoint between the US-China power competition. However, it is also important to note that the Philippines remains geopolitically significant for both major powers given its ability to alter the power equation between Washington and Beijing. While Manila has often preferred to traditionally balance against the rising China, the potential is vast for the Southeast Asian country to manage the power competition by proactively leveraging on its geography. Looking at the eastern hemisphere, the Philippines is positioned in such a way that it guards the route to and from the Western Pacific, which offers great convenience for exiting and entering the South China Sea.
