Philippine leader will put off tackling thorny issues

Significance

The address laid out the new administration’s policy objectives for the coming year and Marcos’s broad goals for his six-year term. It gave little indication of the president’s stance on contentious issues such as the peace process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war.

Impacts

• As Manila explores adding nuclear to its energy mix, Washington and Tokyo will caution it against seeking technological support from Moscow.
• Competition between Tokyo and Beijing to support the new administration’s railway ambitions will intensify.
• Unlike his predecessor, who favoured closer ties with China, Marcos will pursue more balanced diplomacy with Beijing and Washington.