Sen. Imee Marcos | FILE PHOTO/Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos on Monday called on the national government to strengthen protection of undocumented Filipinos in the US, as well as boost defense capabilities and relations with neighboring countries.
Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on foreign relations, made the call in response to Donald Trump’s win in the 2024 US presidential elections.
“The Philippines must act now to secure our people, strengthen our defenses, and ensure we’re prepared for any shifts in global dynamics,” said Marcos in a statement.
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Marcos pointed out that with Trump’s win, over 200,000 undocumented Filipinos now face the threat of mass deportation.
She emphasized the need for expanded reintegration programs, which includes skills training, livelihood support and direct assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
However, the senator pointed out that under the 2025 National Expenditure Program, the DSWD only has sufficient funding for 4,152 distressed and undocumented overseas Filipinos next year.
Meanwhile, the DFA was only able to assist 72,206 overseas Filipinos last year.
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“We need a plan for these families who may be forced to come home,” Marcos said.
Marcos also stressed the need for the country to fast-track the Self-Reliant Defense Posture initiative, a program aimed at manufacturing defense equipment locally and lessening dependence on foreign suppliers.
This, she said, would allow the Philippines to be more independent in terms of national defense.
“In the end, no matter how many and how strong our allies are, we can only depend on ourselves, the Filipinos, to defend the Philippines,” Marcos said.
Meanwhile, she also noted how the country would now have to further collaborate with its neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to address the potential shifts in US foreign policy.
“Now is the time to step up in Asean, to strengthen our relations with our neighbors and engage regional powers, so that our interests are safeguarded,” she said.
According to Marcos, the Asean should follow the example of Europe’s reassessment of its stance on various policies influenced by changes in the US administration.
Meanwhile, to alleviate tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Marcos also urged the national government to initiate bilateral discussions with each claimant in the disputed area.
“There is no other way to maintain peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea but to talk to each claimant,” Marcos said.