Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and US President Donald Trump. AFP PHOTOS
After the tumult in the past months, are relations between the Philippines and the United States bound for a turnaround under a new American President?
Yes, says Malacañang as it seeks to develop close working relations with the administration of US President Donald Trump, whose ascent to the White House is seen to signal a reboot in the long-standing Philippine-US ties strained by President Rodrigo Duterte’s acerbic stance against then US President Barack Obama who criticized Manila’s bloody war on drugs.
“We look forward to working closely with the new administration of President Trump anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law,” said presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella in a statement on Saturday. —TARRA QUISMUNDO