Lawmakers: US-PH partnership at ‘all-time high’

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2024): Lawmakers: US-PH partnership at ‘all-time high’ (By Jose Cielito Reganit)

STRONG US-PH TIES. Assistant Majority Leaders Raul Angelo Bongalon (Ako Bicol) and Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao Del Sur 1st District), Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David Suarez, Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario, and Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario (from left) during a press conference at the House of Representatives on Wednesday (March 20, 2024). The lawmakers said the relationship between the United States and the Philippines is at an “all-time high” in terms of security and the economy. (Photo courtesy of House of Representatives)

MANILA – Several leaders of the House of Representatives on Wednesday hailed the strong partnership between the United States and the Philippines following the recent visits of high-ranking US officials to the country.

“We see that the partnership and the relationship of the US and the country is in an all-time high when it comes to security and when it comes to the economy,” Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David Suarez said during the regular daily press conference at the House of Representatives.

Suarez cited US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit, which closely followed the highly successful first-ever US presidential trade and investment mission to Manila, led by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, which secured over USD1 billion in investment commitments for the Philippines.

He said President Joe Biden will host President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at the White House on April 11 for the first trilateral US-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit.

Suarez, who was joined in the press conference by Assistant Majority Leaders Francisco Paolo Ortega (La Union, 1st District), Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur, 1st District) and Raul Angelo Bongalon (AKO BICOL Party-list), along with Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario, also cited the significance of Blinken’s assurance of support, especially amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

During his visit, Blinken reiterated America’s "ironclad" commitment to defending the Philippines.

They also acknowledged the crucial role of President Marcos and his leadership in fostering the strong partnership between the US and the Philippines.

“For me that’s a good sign. The President is doing his job in terms of strengthening our ties with our allies,” Ortega said. “Malaking bagay po na meron po tayong ganoong commitment kasi nakikita po natin na hindi nag-iisa ang Pilipinas (It’s great to have that kind of commitment because it shows that the Philippines is not alone.”

Adiong said he sees Blinken’s statement as a morale booster for the Marcos administration, and as a solid support for the Philippines to assert its territorial integrity in the region.

“It only reaffirms the commitment of our allies in the West to make sure that the Philippine territorial integrity and sovereignty is respected,” he said.

For Bongalon, Blinken’s statement "sends a powerful message of solidarity and support" for the Philippines' assertion in the WPS.

“In other words, we stand united in safeguarding regional peace and security,” he said.

Almario said America’s reaffirmation of its commitment to defending the Philippines also underscores the "amount of trust that our allies have placed in us."

“This would not have been possible without the efforts of everyone in the administration, especially to our President who has been tirelessly looking for connections, for allies and also enhancing them in the meantime,” he said.

“For us here in Congress, if there is any need for us to supplement and further enhance the ties through legislation, then we are more than happy to do so,” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1221218