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DFA welcomes Biden, Blinken congratulatory messages

May 13, 2022 Cristina Lee-Pisco 369 views

THE Philippines welcomed the congratulatory messages of United States President Joseph R. Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, saying these gestures “reflect a very high regard for the alliance between the US and the Philippines.

An official statement issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said “these reflect a very high regard for the alliance and an affirmation of the Philippines’ vibrant democracy as embodied by our recent national elections, which their Embassy and some visiting US government officials observed first hand.”

In a brief phone call between presumptive President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Biden on Thursday morning, both sides committed to work together “to further strengthen the Philippines-US alliance” and broaden cooperation on issues of mutual interest and concern.

The US President underscored that he looks forward to working with the leading presidential contender to expand bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, including the fight against COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, promoting broad-based economic growth, and respect for human rights.

Marcos Jr. was grateful for Biden’s acknowledgment of his historic election, who got 31 million votes 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.”

Partial unofficial counting showed a “landslide” victory for presidential candidate Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sarah Duterte. By Cristina Lee-Pisco

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