Asian Century Institute Issues Stark Warning Amid National “Crisis”
Herman Laurel of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute delivered a stark assessment of the nation’s future today, urging an immediate and complete reversal of its foreign policy by severing ties with the United States and aligning with China-led multilateral organizations.
The address, framed as a situation briefing, painted a picture of a Philippines at a critical historical crossroads, torn between a waning “unipolar” U.S. order and an ascendant “multipolar” world led by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS+ alliances.
A World in Transition
Laurel began by asserting that a monumental global shift occurred in early September 2025 with the expansion of the SCO, particularly India’s decision to join with China and Russia. He described this bloc, representing nearly half the world’s population and 30% of the global economy, as the “global majority” championing a new world order based on “sovereign equality” and “international rule of law” as opposed to the American “rules-based order.”
He cited recent U.S. actions, including a reported Pentagon pivot to prioritize homeland defense over the “China threat,” as evidence of Washington’s retreat and the success of this multilateral challenge.
Philippines in “Shambles” Under U.S. Influence
Laurel contrasted this global realignment with what he termed a Philippines in “shambles.” He blamed the administration of President Bongbong Marcos for betraying the nation’s independent foreign policy, which he claimed was established under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
He alleged that since February 2023, the Marcos government had succumbed to U.S. pressure, leading to:
- A “severely divided and chaotic nation.”
- “Unprecedented enormity of government corruption,” specifically citing the ongoing political turmoil and impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
- Economic decline, with GDP per capita lagging behind ASEAN peers and devastating U.S. tariffs on Philippine exports.
- A collapse in tourism due to international travel advisories.
Laurel directly linked these domestic crises to U.S. strategy, accusing American proxies within the Philippine government of executing a “Get China, Get Duterte, Get Sara” campaign that served only Washington’s goal of containing China.
The Path Forward: Join SCO and BRICS
The institute’s prescribed solution was unequivocal. Laurel read from a press statement calling for the Philippines to:
- Immediately abandon compliance with U.S. strategy and remove American military bases and assets.
- Restore an independent foreign policy and return to ASEAN neutrality.
- Re-engage with the “global majority” by seeking partnerships with the SCO and BRICS+ blocs.
- Support China’s “Global Governance Initiative” to build a “just and progressive multi-polar world.”
Laurel argued that only by joining this new multilateral framework could the Philippines access economic benefits like tariff-free trade, new markets, and development initiatives, thereby recovering its sovereignty and economic prosperity.
Context and Analysis
The Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute is known for its pro-China and anti-U.S. military presence stance. This briefing represents a forceful articulation of that worldview, interpreting current global events and domestic Philippine politics through a specific geopolitical lens. The claims made regarding U.S. policy shifts and the scale of domestic corruption are contentious and represent the institute’s analysis.
The Marcos administration has consistently defended its foreign policy as a balanced approach aimed at protecting national sovereignty in the South China Sea while securing economic and military partnerships with various nations, including the U.S. and its traditional allies.#
