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The foreign policy of the Philippines is guided by the following declaration of principles and state policies in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, namely:

  • The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations. (Sec. 2, Article II)
  • The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination. (Sec. 7, Article II)
  • The Philippines, consistent with the national interest, adopts and pursues a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory. (Sec. 8, Article II)
  • The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights. (Sec. 11, Article II)

The Department of Foreign Affairs is mandated to implement the following 3 pillars of Philippine Foreign Policy, namely:

  • Preservation and enhancement of national security
  • Promotion and attainment of economic security
  • Protection of the rights and the promotion of the welfare and interest of all Filipinos overseas.

Republic Act No. 8042, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, mandates as follows:

  • The protection of the Filipino migrant workers and the promotion of their welfare, in particular, and the protection of the dignity and fundamental rights and freedoms of the Filipino citizens abroad, in general, shall be the highest priority concerns of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Foreign Service Posts. (Sec. 27)