Stoyan Arsen

Changing the Vector of the Philippines' Foreign Policy as a Threat to the Successful Implementation of Rodrigo Duterte's Reforms

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2025, №3(68), 177-186

 
Annotation: The article analyzes the probable consequences of changing the vector of the Philippines' foreign policy towards a more traditional ally for this country – the United States – in light of the possibility of successful implementation of Rodrigo Duterte's reforms. His ambitious infrastructure reforms were launched largely due to financing from China, which significantly increased the country's debt burden. In addition, their consistent implementation is carried out in several stages, including rounds of financing. While Duterte was looking to China, the new President Marcos is interested in US assistance, which could not only exacerbate the Philippines' conflict with China over disputes in the South China Sea, but also significantly increase the risks of suspension or complete termination of funding for infrastructure projects. This could lead to both the failure of Duterte's costly reforms and a likely “internal explosion” in the Philippines, which is intensifying against the backdrop of political strife.

Keywords: Philippines, infrastructure projects, vector of international policy, failure of reforms, Duterte