https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/06/philippines-election-china-friendly-marcos-retains-a-wide-lead.html

With just days to go before the Philippine elections, the country’s current Vice President Leni Robredo, is significantly behind new challenger Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Marcos is the son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos who was overthrown in 1986. Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, has not endorsed any candidate but his political party is backing Marcos, according to Reuters. Even though the current presidents approval rating remains over 67%, hes only able to serve one term under constitutional law. “On foreign policy, China remains the biggest issue,” said Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations. The top 2 candidates seem to have differing opinions on China.

I think this article is important because of the 2 candidates different views on China. Beijing’s enormous unpopularity in the Philippines has lead to a rise in Anti-China policies. “Marcos Jr. has historically enjoyed a warm relationship with Beijing and could want to woo China again, as well as attempt to launch more Beijing-backed infrastructure projects. But Beijing’s enormous unpopularity in the Philippines could limit Marcos Jr.’s ability to work closely with China,” Kurlantzick wrote. On the other hand, Robredo has promised a tough approach toward Beijing, vowing not to even discuss the South China Sea with Beijing until it recognizes that a 2016 tribunal at the Hague ruled in favor of Manila’s claims.

One of the biggest issues in the relationship between China and the Philippines is the 2016 ruling on their dispute over the South China Sea. Knowing that the Philippines is central to the U.S. position in the South China Sea and toward Taiwan. This election is seen to be of massive interest towards the US. Knowing that the upcoming election could determine the country’s path for decades to come, this election brings volatility. This shows how much the global world is connected. For an election in the Phillipines to be so crucial to a country as far as the US. Shows the global interdependence in todays international relations.