Presumptive President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and US President Joseph R. Biden Jr.
Biden to PBBM: Congrats!
Marcos, Biden discuss strengthening US, PH ties
UNITED States President Joseph R. Biden Jr. yesterday spoke with presumptive President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to congratulate him on his historic election and expressed hope to continue strengthening the US-Philippines Alliance.
In a readout of Biden’s call with Marcos Jr., the US President underscored that he looks forward to working with the leading presidential contender to also expand bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, including the fight against COVID 19, addressing climate crisis, promoting broad-based economic growth and respect for human rights.
The phone call was brief but the two leaders conversation could be one of the most important messages for the incoming President.
Partial unofficial counting showed a landslide victory for presidential candidate Marcos Jr. and his runningmate Sarah Duterte.
Marcos was grateful for Biden’s acknowledgement of his election, who got 31 million votes as against his rival Vice President Leni Robredo who garnered 14.7 million votes.
The presumptive President assured Biden that “the Philippines has always held the US in high regard as a friend, an ally and a partner.”
Marcos Jr. said “I have also invited President Biden to my inaugural on June 30, which could further fortify the relationship of the two countries.”
The United States Embassy yesterday issued a congratulatory statement to the next President of the Philippines and look forward to strengthen the enduring alliance between the US and the Philippines.
The statement said “as friends, partners and allies, we will continue to collaborate closely with the Philippines to promote respect for human rights and to advance a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure and resilient Indo-Pacific region.
“We commend the millions of Filipino voters who cast their ballots in this election, and we look forward to the official conclusion of the electoral process for the many offices in the national elections,” the statement added.
US State Secretary Anthony Blinken, in an earlier statement also congratulated Marcos Jr. and acknowledged the long-standing relationship between the two countries that “is rooted in a long and interwoven history, shared values and interests and people-to-people ties.” By CRISTINA LEE-PISCO & LEE ANN P. DUCUSIN
