UN General Assembly
1977

172. The Philippine experience during this decade is, I believe, a demonstration of one people's determination to be self-reliant, to develop as it will, to make friends as it sees fit and to participate in such endeavours of national reconstruction as will specifically promote national and global interests. 173. As a developing country-in population seventeenth in the world, with a population of 44 million inhabitants- the Philippines has striven and is still striving to give our people, under the leadership of President Marcos, a social structure and a politico-economic system that will guarantee them the basic human rights: the right to life, to self-fulfilment, to self-determination and to equality, and to emancipation from the feudal and oligarchic oppressions of the past. 174. The civil administration and constitutional Government of President Marcos can proudly stand on its record of political stability, economic development, law enforcement, social progress and respect for human rights. 175. In our international relations we have assiduously fostered relations of friendship and co-operation with our neighbours in the Association of South East Asian Nations.