President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Returns to PH with Good News
As President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. prepares to return to the Philippines, he carries with him the good news of a strengthened alliance with the United States and other allied nations. This alliance has been fortified by security and economic engagements, as well as close people-to-people ties.
In his keynote address at a dinner hosted by the US-Philippines Society (USPS) in Washington, DC, President Marcos stated, “As I return to the Philippines tomorrow, I will bring the good news to our people that our alliance with the United States has become stronger, bolstered by our economic engagements, close people-to-people ties, and reinforced by our growing friendship and cooperation with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific region like Japan.”
He emphasized the commitment from the three countries to sustain the momentum of this increasingly close partnership in the years to come, for the benefit of their people and the security of their region.
President Marcos highlighted that increased business sector linkages and people-to-people exchanges have matched the accelerated pace of their engagements across all levels of government. The two nations have been collaborating effectively in defense and security, trade and investment, food security, energy security, renewable energy, combating climate change, digital transformation, infrastructure development, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The President also underscored the importance of the Philippines-US alliance, noting its significant contribution to the country’s ability to defend itself and address security threats. This is achieved through US assistance to and support for the Philippines’ Armed Forces’ modernization program, frequent joint exercises and training enhancing interoperability and honing the skills of the two militaries, and increased deterrence by highlighting the strength of the alliance.
President Marcos was further reassured by the declarations made by US President Joe Biden and his officials, who consider their country’s commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) as ironclad.
“Economic cooperation with the United States is, of course, a priority and it is paramount to the Philippines,” said the President, emphasizing another key pillar in the relationship.
The US-Philippines Society is a binational, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sound business and investment ties, modernizing the 21st-century strategic relationship, encouraging improved understanding of Philippine culture, and expanding knowledge of the shared history linking the Philippines and the US.