briefly, _ -- mcadoo. irony is the right word. briefly, before - -- mcadoo.ore we let i word. briefly, before we let you go, how important is the role of the philippines when it comes to usi open china relations?— comes to usi open china relations? , ., relations? very important, the philippines— relations? very important, the philippines on _ relations? very important, the philippines on the _ relations? very important, the philippines on the frontline - relations? very important, the philippines on the frontline in | philippines on the frontline in the competition of these two superpowers. not only is the element of the south china sea important because there is a major of state where the us and china are competing for influence and access but also taiwan, the philippines are separated by taiwan by a very narrow strait, so should they be conflict, the philippines would be at the frontline. in many ways, the philippines is a frontline state as far as the us—china cold war is concerned. marcos jr knows that very well and is leveraging that. that marcos jr kno