SONA 2026: President Marcos says diplomacy softened impact of Middle East crisis on Filipinos

The Philippine government continues to sustain its effective and practical diplomacy with foreign partners to alleviate the diverse impacts of the Middle East crisis on Filipinos, said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday.

In his penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the administration’s ability to engage with a range of states allowed the country to buy and import needed oil at the onset of the war despite the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Sa kabila ng pagsara ng Strait of Hormuz, ay nagawa nating makabili at makapag-angkat mula sa ibang pagkukunang bansa tulad ng Japan, South Korea, Oman, India, maging sa Russia, pati na sa China (In spite of the Strait of Hormuz blockade, we were able to buy and import from several countries such as Japan, South Korea, Oman, India, even Russia and China),” he said.

“Dahil sa mga ito natiyak natin na sapat ang supply ng bansa na tatagal hanggang halos dalawang buwan (Because of this, we were able to secure enough supply that could sustain us for at least two months),” he added.

Manila, he pointed out, has also taken all measures to ensure the safety of Filipino seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, including through initiating talks with Iran.

Last April, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro had a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and secured an assurance from Tehran to allow the “safe, unhindered, and expeditious” passage of Philippine-flagged vessels, energy sources, and all Filipino seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz.

Between June and July, at least four Philippine-registered vessels manned by 81 Filipino seafarers already safely transited through the Strait of Hormuz and have exited the conflict area in the Persian Gulf region.

-Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/Philippine News Agency