Speaker Romualdez pushes for stronger regional cooperation to address Indo-Pacific challenges

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez called for stronger regional cooperation, economic resilience and responsible technology governance to address security and economic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking before incumbent and former international lawmakers, diplomats, security experts, and technology experts at the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF) in Manila, Speaker Romualdez said geopolitical tensions, economic vulnerabilities and technological disruptions in the region require a coordinated global response.

“We gather at a critical moment when the Indo-Pacific—home to 4.7 billion people, or 60% of the global population, and a driving force of global trade and innovation—is both a region of immense opportunity and unprecedented challenges,” Speaker Romualdez said.

He continued, “It is a region where economic dynamism coexists with intensifying strategic competition, geopolitical tensions and non-traditional security threats. These realities demand our collective action and resolve as parliamentarians and policymakers.”

The PI-SF, a global platform that convenes legislators to discuss intelligence, security, and economic threats, has played a key role in strengthening multilateral cooperation against emerging global challenges.

With Manila hosting this year’s forum, discussions focused on the Indo-Pacific, a region that includes economic powerhouses such as China, Japan, India and South Korea, and one that continues to be a theater of unresolved disputes and strategic rivalry.

In his keynote remarks, Speaker Romualdez reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to international law in asserting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

He cited the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, which rejected expansive maritime claims in the region. He emphasized that upholding the decision is essential for maintaining regional stability.

“For the Philippines, the situation in the West Philippine Sea remains a direct and urgent concern. This is not just a matter of territorial integrity—it is a test of the international community’s commitment to upholding international law and ensuring freedom of navigation,” he said.

Speaker Romualdez warned against gray-zone tactics, coercive actions, and militarization of artificial islands, which threaten peace and stability.

He said the Philippine government has taken legislative steps to strengthen its maritime jurisdiction, including the passage of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

“The West Philippine Sea issue underscores the importance of preserving a rules-based international order,” he said.

“For smaller nations like the Philippines, this order serves as a safeguard against the arbitrary use of power and ensures that disputes are resolved peacefully, through dialogue and diplomacy, rather than coercion or intimidation,” he added.

He urged fellow lawmakers to use their legislative influence to reinforce alliances and uphold international agreements that promote stability in the region.

Beyond territorial issues, Speaker Romualdez warned that economic vulnerabilities remain a serious security concern, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, where supply chain disruptions, economic coercion, and widening inequalities could destabilize growth.

“The Indo-Pacific’s economic security depends not just on its strategic location but also on the resilience of its economies and institutions,” Speaker Romualdez said.

“Persistent inequalities continue to threaten regional stability. Without adequate social protections, 266 million people in Asia could fall into poverty by 2040,” he warned.

Speaker Romualdez called for stronger regional economic frameworks, particularly through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), to ensure fair and sustainable trade policies.

He also emphasized the need to protect supply chains and critical industries, particularly in key sectors like semiconductors, critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing.

“We must strengthen multilateral economic frameworks like RCEP and CPTPP, ensuring their inclusive and equitable implementation,” Speaker Romualdez said.

“We must also secure global supply chains, particularly in semiconductors, critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing, against disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions or natural disasters,” he added.

At the same time, Speaker Romualdez urged policymakers to prioritize climate-resilient economies and sustainable infrastructure, stressing that economic resilience goes hand in hand with environmental protection.

The Speaker also underscored the growing risks of cyber threats, disinformation, and the misuse of artificial intelligence, warning that emerging technologies must be governed responsibly to prevent destabilization.

“The Indo-Pacific stands at the forefront of technological innovation, but emerging technologies also pose risks to political stability, economic security, and social trust,” he said.

Speaker Romualdez said governments must establish strong cybersecurity measures, data privacy protections, and AI regulations to prevent cyberattacks, espionage, and the spread of false information.

He also emphasized that technology must be used to advance development goals, including investments in renewable energy and climate adaptation.

“Our collective challenge is to establish clear regulations and safeguards to prevent the malicious use of technology—whether through cyberattacks, data breaches, or AI-driven disinformation campaigns,” he said.