Isko Moreno vows to adopt ‘Filipino first’ foreign policy

Isko Moreno speaking in an Aksyon Demokratiko town hall meeting in General Trias, Cavite. INQUIRER.net photo / JOHN ERIC MENDOZA

CAVITE, Philippines — If elected, Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Friday said he will adopt a foreign policy aligned with what he calls a “Filipino-first” policy.

“Basta Filipino first and lagi ko pamantayan: ano ang kapakinabangan namin, bilang bansa, at bilang mamamayan, yun ang importanteng foreign policy,” Domagoso told reporters in an ambush interview in General Trias, Cavite.

(The “Filipino first” policy will be my standard: What is it for us, as a country, as a people, that is the important foreign policy.)

“Kailangan doon tayo sasapi, sasama sa mga kontrata, organisasyon, o trade for that matter, ay kailangan kapakinabangan ng Pilipino,” the mayor added.

(We will forge contracts, organizations, and even trade agreements, for that matter, if it is only beneficial to Filipinos.)

The Manila mayor has expressed strong opinions on the issue of the West Philippine Sea, saying that the country should be “fearless” against the Chinese incursion.

Domagoso, however, said he is open with brokering a deal between Filipino private firms and private groups in China for the exploration and possible extraction of oil and natural gas in the contested waters.

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JPV