Marcos marks 80 years of PH-US ties; eyes ‘future-ready’ alliance

MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the launch of the official 80th-anniversary logo of Philippine-United States diplomatic relations on Monday, February 9, 2026, signaling a strategic shift toward a "future-ready" partnership. Speaking at Malacañang, the President emphasized that the alliance has moved beyond its traditional defense roots to include cybersecurity and outer space cooperation.

The President noted that the 80-year bond now encompasses a broad spectrum of sectors, including trade, energy, and disaster response. He specifically cited his recent engagement with U.S. President Donald Trump as a catalyst for "renewed momentum" in high-level exchanges.

"Either we evolve this alliance to meet modern threats, or we risk becoming irrelevant in a rapidly changing world," a high-ranking diplomatic source stated, echoing the administration's push for modernization. The event also honored Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez for his role in strengthening bilateral ties.

Critics, however, remain wary of the deepening military integration. Some legal observers argued that "because the Mutual Defense Treaty is decades old, any new agreement built upon it is naturally prone to the same historical flaws." Despite these concerns, the Philippines, as the 2026 ASEAN Chair, expressed hope to host President Trump for the ASEAN Summit later this year to further solidify regional stability.