THE Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF) at the House of Representatives focused on the significance of free, fair and open trade, with particular attention to the Indo-Pacific region’s priorities and engagements under the new Trump administration.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque described the region as “the engine of the global economy, generating 60% of the global GDP and over 80% of global merchandise trade,” which she said “deserves our unwavering commitment.”
Roque expressed optimism over a potential free trade agreement with the United States and other participating nations, and the reauthorization of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences.
She highlighted key reforms, including the amendments to the Foreign Investment Act and Public Service Act and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, which aim to attract foreign investments and enhance the country’s economic integration.
“Let us seize this moment to build an Indo-Pacific where economies are not just inter-connected but truly integrated, where businesses thrive, where prosperity is shared by all,” she said.
Heritage Senior Research Fellow Brent Sadler noted that a second Trump administration would likely merge economic statecraft with diplomacy and military strategy — focused on security threats like illegal migration, drug trafficking and China’s unfair trade practices.
He added that the newly imposed tariff’s role is not just in the economic aspect, but is also a measure to strengthen U.S. security and supply chain resilience.
House Committee on Ways and Means chairperson and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda discussed state undertakings to track and tax digital and cryptocurrencies.
He noted that central banks are considering “strategic crypto reserves.”
As elites and powerful institutions increase their stakes in digital currencies, Salceda warned that they might face significant losses during a crisis, which may prompt them to push governments to better regulate the system.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Dr. Francisco Dakila Jr. said a robust regulatory framework is essential to support the adoption of digital currencies, and that collaboration between central banks and financial institutions is crucial.
Also discussed during the forum were the impact and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly for developing countries, as well as issues related to connectivity and communications, maritime security, cybersecurity threats and reliable energy, among others.
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. closed the forum emphasizing the connection between peace, security and development.
He stressed the need for states to work together to tackle challenges by strengthening standards and reinforcing international norms.
“Peace and security are elusive when the quest for development and economic survival is pursued at all cost without regard to the rights and entitlements of others. However, as also brought to light in this forum, states must work together as they address the challenges in their midst, strengthening standards and protocol and reinforcing acceptable norms of international behavior,” he said.
Gonzales also reminded his colleagues that they share a common commitment to take decisive action on the issues and challenges raised during the forum.
