At the opening of the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF) 2025 in Manila, Speaker Martin Romualdez emphasized the need for intensified regional cooperation, economic resilience, and responsible technology governance to tackle the security and economic challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region. The forum, held at the People’s Center in the House of Representatives, highlighted the region’s critical role in global trade and innovation, home to 4.7 billion people or 60% of the world’s population.
Romualdez pointed out that the Indo-Pacific is a region of both vast opportunities and significant challenges, marked by economic vitality alongside escalating strategic competition and geopolitical tensions. He stressed the importance of collective action among parliamentarians and policymakers to address these issues effectively.
The Speaker also reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to international law, particularly in asserting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, referencing the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He warned against gray-zone tactics, coercive actions, and the militarization of artificial islands, which he said threaten regional stability.
Beyond territorial disputes, Romualdez highlighted economic vulnerabilities as a major security concern, noting that supply chain disruptions and economic coercion could hinder growth in the region. He advocated for stronger regional economic frameworks like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to promote fair and sustainable trade policies.
Addressing technological challenges, Romualdez called for enhanced cybersecurity measures, data privacy protections, and AI regulations to combat cyber threats, disinformation, and the malicious use of technology. He emphasized that technology should be used to advance development goals, including investments in renewable energy and climate adaptation.
Romualdez concluded by urging lawmakers to adopt a regional strategy focused on deterrence, resilience, and a commitment to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. He underscored the region’s diversity as its greatest strength, advocating for dialogue, cooperation, and decisive action to navigate the complex realities of the region.