Courtesy: Pacific Forum
HOUSE leaders on Wednesday hailed the strong partnership between the United States and the Philippines, particularly in terms of security and economy.
This affirmation follows the recent visits of high-ranking U.S. officials to the Philippines, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who reiterated America’s “ironclad” commitment to defending the Philippines.
“We see that the partnership and the relationship of the U.S. 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 “Jay-jay” Suarez said during the regular daily press conference at the House of Representatives.
Suarez pointed out that Blinken’s visit closely followed the highly successful first-ever U.S. presidential trade and investment mission to Manila, led by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, which secured over $1 billion in investment commitments for the Philippines.
The Deputy Speaker further noted that President Joe Biden will host President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at the White House on April 11 for the first trilateral U.S.-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit.
Suarez 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 “Jil” Bongalon (AKO BICOL Party-list), along with Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario, collectively known as “Young Guns.”
All of them cited the significance of Blinken’s assurance of support, especially amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
They also acknowledged the crucial role of President Marcos and his able leadership in fostering the strong partnership between the U.S. and the Philippines.
“For me that’s a good sign. We have seen the President visit other countries,
para ang dating po naman hindi lang po project-fishing, investment-fishing but of course 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,” he added.
Adiong said that any backing to advance the country’s assertion in the WPS would be a “welcomed and positive development,” particularly from the United States, the Philippines’ strongest ally.
He regarded Blinken’s statement as a morale booster for the Marcos administration and as 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,” Adiong emphasized.
According 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,” Bongalon said.
For Almario, America’s reaffirmation of its unwavering 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,” Almario said.
“So far, as 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.
