WASHINGTON, D.C.—Defense and security engagement remains the pillar of the long-standing alliance of the United States and Philippines.
(Photo courtesy of PCO)
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. stated this in a meeting with members of the US Senate on Wednesday, May 3.
Marcos noted that defense and security engagement remains the key pillar of Philippines-US bilateral relations and hailed the US’ willingness to work with the Philippine government “as an equal, sovereign partner."
Having been a member of the Philippine House of Representatives and the Senate, the President said engagements between Manila and Washington should not only take place at the executive level but also with members of the legislature.
During the meeting, he also expressed the Philippines’ intention to deepen cooperation with the US in the areas of supply chain, health and health security, environment, energy security, and interconnectivity.
The meeting was part of the President’s official visit to Washington, following a series of high-level dialogues with US President Joseph Biden and US Vice President Kamala Harris.
Joining the President in the Wednesday Capitol Hill meeting with Senator Robert Menendez were Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.
Among those who joined Menendez were Senator James Risch, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as other officials of the same panel.