US, Taiwan congratulate PH, Duterte

The United States and Chinese-Taipei congratulated presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte on Friday and look forward to deeper bilateral partnership amid common challenges.

“The United States offers its sincerest congratulations to the people of the Philippines on the conclusion of the May 9, 2016, general elections, and to the presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte,” said a statement of the US Embassy in Manila.

As transmission of votes for the vice president and senatorial candidates still hangs, the US government expressed hopes for the “official conclusion of the electoral process for the many offices contested in the national elections.”

“The successful elections in the Philippines, and its record-setting number of voters, are a testament to the Philippines’ vibrant democracy. The United States looks forward to continuing to deepen our bilateral partnership with the new administration as we address common challenges and issues of mutual interest,” the US Embassy said.

In its statement, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines expressed intention “to strengthen cooperation with the Philippine government so as to further enhance the cordial and substantial relations between the countries.”

Taipei said it maintains close relations with the Philippines in the areas of economy, trade, law enforcement, labor affairs, tourism, education and culture “and also share the values of democracy, freedom and rule of law.”