The Duterte administration’s principled and independent foreign policy is but a reiteration of Article II, Section 7of the Philippine Constitution. The President’s pronouncement on this and his pivot to China and Russia, two countries he paid a visit to in the early days of his presidency, was a clear signal towards this direction. That early, we saw that the President was not going to put all the eggs in one basket, so to speak. While we were going to maintain and, hopefully, grow with our allies, we were also going to open our doors to, perhaps, new alliances.

The President’s declared foreign policy coupled with a sincere call for investors to take a serious look at the country. A strong delegation from Iran met with business leaders of the Philippine Chamber last year to express its interest to bring its liquified natural gas and nano technology, mostly on construction materials, that could complement the “Build, Build, Build” program of government. The discussions were however stalled in view of the threat of another embargo sought by the US. The Philippine Chamber has left its doors open to Iran. After all, the Chief of Staff of President Hassan Rouhani was once the head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce.

Last Sunday, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin quietly slipped into the country on a private jet for some discussions on Russia’s plans to invest. Their group has visited the country before to look at the terrain and seek opportunities for mutual gains. This ally is described by Wikipedia as the most conservative counsellor and “de facto deputy” of President Putin. He is Igor Ivanovich Sechin, currently the executive chairman of Rosneft, Russia’s state oil company, dubbed as the world’s largest publicly listed petroleum company. Sechin was accompanied by the president and CEO of InvestEnergo of St. Petersburg, advisor to the Russian Investment Agency in Moscow and CEO of the Region Oil Service (ROS), a Singapore-based affiliate of Rosneft. With the group was ROS’ CFO Diana Khaburzaniya. Unfortunately, Sechin had to leave the next day for another whirlwind engagement.

Rosneft’s core activities include prospecting and exploration of hydrocarbon deposits, oil, gas and gas-condensate production, upstream offshore projects, to name a few. Being the global leader in the world energy market, the energy company has access to all technological, financial, organizational and administrative capabilities of the Russian Federation. It possesses enormous resources and unconditional support of the Russian state that allows the company to carry out its undertakings, domestically and overseas.

The Russians have likewise manifested interest to set up their technology of a floating nuclear power plant in the Bangsamoro area, preferably in Tawi-Tawi.

Rosneft entered into a strategic partnership program with Philippine National Oil Company. An expanded addendum to this program is presently being prepared. They have proposed key areas, which include the following:

· Design, installation and operation of a modern refinery plant for internal supply and regional operations.

· Construction of regasification terminal supply in reliable and flexible inflow LNG.

· Establishment of gas motor fuel sector.

· Guaranteed fuel supply to Philippines on the basis of mutual players’ benefits, and,

· Replacement of obsolete or economically inexperienced electricity generation, particularly, historical and diesel stations.

The Russians have likewise manifested interest to set up their technology of a floating nuclear power plant in the Bangsamoro area, preferably in Tawi-Tawi. When this information was relayed to the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, the idea was welcomed and the meeting between parties is now being set. The floating nuclear plant is powered by small modular reactors, a time-tested, technologically safe equipment usually used in submarines. SMR allow for less on-site construction, increased containment efficiency and heightened nuclear materials security.

Upon his departure, Igor Sechin left his trusted officials to finalize the deals that may be entered into. I was told that President Vladimir Putin is inviting the President this October to be his special guest in Moscow.

These past months, the Philippine Chamber hosted a number of delegations from Europe, South America, China, Japan and the Middle East — all wanting to do business in the Philippines.

Indeed, President’s Duterte’s strategy in diversifying allies and options is proving to be a geopolitically wise move to keep a good balance and maintain the country’s national interest.