Role Expectations and Realities: The Philippines’ Foreign Policy Under Marcos Jr. Amid Shifting Regional Dynamics

Abstract The article examines the Philippines’ foreign policy under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., focusing on its multiple roles as a sovereign state, US ally, and regional actor. It argues that domestic and international factors, including role expectations from key regional partners and neighbors and role demands from domestic political actors and constituents, influence the country’s defense policies and its ability to address external security challenges. The article also examines the Marcos government’s strategies for reconciling national interests and alliance obligations, revealing its constraints in maintaining a neutral stance, fostering regional collaboration, and upholding its alliance with the United States.