House Speaker Martin Romualdez continued where President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. left off in the United States (US) as the former charmed and engaged high--ranking American officials in a series of meetings.
On Wednesday (Philippine time), Romualdez met with the US State Department's Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink in Washington DC.
During the meeting, the Filipino official conveyed the Philippine government’s deep gratitude to the US fror helping the Philippines fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
Much of the Covid-19 vaccines that the Philippines received as donations came stateside.
"As we both affirm the strengthening of Philippine-US partnership today, we would like to seize this occasion also to extend our gratitude for the continued cooperation to our country as well as your valuable assistance in our fight against the Covid-19 pandemic,” Romualdez said.
The Leyte 1st district representative also took the opportunity to speak to Kritenbrink about the broadening of ties between the two nations under the Marcos administration. This includes bolstering the ongoing and future bilateral initiatives, particularly in the area of economic cooperation.
“We are thankful that our alliance has remained robust, and I believe that an enhanced dialogue between the US and the Philippines would help cement the bond of friendship that we have forged throughout the years,” Romualdez said.
He assured Kritenbrink that the Philippine House of Representatives “remains committed in supporting measures that would help deepen cooperation with the United States particularly in the areas of supply chain, health and security, environment and climate change, energy security, and interconnectivity".
“I am confident that our meeting today would further lead to stronger relations between our countries, and would help attaining peace and prosperity in the entire Asia-Pacific region,” the House leader said.
Marcos, accompanied by Romualdez and other local leaders, flew to New York City in the US last month to speak at the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). On the sidelines of the event, Marcos met for the first time with US President Joe Biden.
The Philippine delegation also engaged American businessmen in talks in what has been described as a fruitful trip abroad.
On Tuesday, Romualdez had a breakfast meeting with Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.