President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (left) and House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker's office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez was one step ahead of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. when it comes to the latter's suggestion that the deepening of ties between the Philippines and the United States (US) should involve the country's respective legislative branches.

“We have actually taken the initiative to move toward the direction suggested by President Marcos,” Romualdez said in a statement sent to Philippine House of Representatives reporters on Thursday, May 4.

In mid-April, Romualdez--along with several House colleagues--flew to the US where they engaged with key congressional leaders to lay the groundwork for Marcos' official stateside visit.

The Speaker is part of Marcos' official delegation in the ongoing US visit.

“We, at the House of Representatives, welcome the suggestion of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. that efforts to boost the long-standing bond of friendship between the Philippines and the [US] should also involve the respective Legislative branches of the two countries,” Romualdez said.

“We are ready to take up that challenge and we look forward to more engagements with our counterparts in the [US] in the future,” added the Leyte 1st district congressman and trusted lieutenant of Marcos.

On Thursday (Philippine time), the Filipino leader and his delegation met with key members of the US Senate and discussed with them various issues that include security, defense, agriculture, and climate change mitigation, economic cooperation and cyber security.

During the meeting, Marcos thanked US Senator Robert Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and other members of the panel for welcoming his delegation to Capitol Hill.

It was there where  the President noted that engagements between Manila and Washington should not only take place at the executive but also with members of the legislature.

Accompanying Marcos in the Capitol Hill meeting were Speaker Romualdez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.