President Marcos and Secretary Rubio Discuss South China Sea and Luzon Economic Corridor in Phone Call

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call to discuss economic and security priorities, including the South China Sea and the Luzon Economic Corridor. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their alliance and continuing close cooperation. President Marcos posted on Facebook that he had a 'productive' call with Secretary Rubio this morning, discussing key regional issues, economic priorities, and bilateral trade. He wrote, 'Our exchange highlights our mutual commitment to strengthening our alliance and addressing regional issues of common concern.' Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State released a statement saying that Secretary Rubio and President Marcos discussed a range of bilateral economic and security priorities, including efforts to promote peace and security in the South China Sea. The State Department stated that Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to advancing the 'Luzon Economic Corridor' (LEC) and exploring ways to assist in addressing regional energy challenges. The LEC is an economic growth plan launched by the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines in 2024, connecting key economic hubs on Luzon Island, including Subic, Clark, Metro Manila, and Batangas, to drive economic growth through large-scale infrastructure and key investments. Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, and the UK have recently announced their participation in the initiative. As 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippines diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of their alliance, Secretary Rubio emphasized the strength of the partnership, and both sides agreed to continue close cooperation. The Philippines and the U.S. signed the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) in 1951, which binds both countries to support each other in the event of an external armed attack.