Marcos reaffirms commitment to rules-based orderMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday renewed his support for a rules-based international order as fresh tensions grip the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and China. “As the Philippines assumes the ASEAN chairship, we remain committed to dialogue, cooperation and a rules-based international order. Here’s to stronger ties and lasting friendships among our nations,” Marcos said in a Facebook post, a day after Malacañang hosted the annual vin d’honneur. I didn’t even mention that it was President Xi Jinping – they were the ones who named him,” he told The STAR in Filipino. In a separate interview yesterday, Tarriela added he got “confused” on the basis of the complaint by the Chinese embassy.

Source: Philippine Star January 18, 2026 02:30 UTC