United States Vice President Kamala Harris will hold bilateral talks with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and her Filipino counterpart, Sara Duterte, in her visit to the Philippines starting Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022.
Harris will be arriving in the country on the night of Nov. 20 after her trip to Thailand for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.
On her first day in the country, her first order of business will be meeting the two highest leaders of the Philippines.
She will talk with Duterte, and then have a "longer" conversation with Marcos, a senior administration official of the White House said in a teleconference on Wednesday morning (Manila time).
In the talks, the US Vice President will reaffirm US "defense commitments to the Philippines" and the importance of "alliance in peace and stability in the South China Sea."
"They will discuss upholding international rules and norms," he said.
Harris will also commit to work more closely with the Philippines, particularly in boosting economic partnership and investment ties of the two countries.
There will be deliverables and new initiatives expected, the official said, adding they are all related to the digital economy and clean energy.
Later on, Harris will also meet with civil society activists to assure them of US support for human rights and democratic resilience.
She will then participate in a moderated conversation, or town hall, with young Filipino women to talk about women empowerment—like what she also does on her foreign trips.
On November 22, Harris will make a historic visit to Palawan—the first time for a US vice president—to prove US support for rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea, which is close to the island province.
There, she will also engage with the Philippines Coast Guard to underscore the importance of international law, unimpeded commerce, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
In Palawan, she will also be discussing with the residents the impacts of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing on coastal economies and their livelihoods.