Romualdez says PH-US ties reaching ‘new heights’ after lawmakers meet

MANILA, Philippines — The relationship between the Philippines and the United States (US) is reaching new heights under the administration of Presidents Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Joe Biden, said House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez after a meeting with their US counterparts in Washington D.C.

This was the takeaway of Romualdez and the rest of the Philippine House of Representatives delegation after their meeting early Wednesday morning (Philippine time) with US House Majority Leader Steve Scalise at the Office of the Majority Leader in the US Capitol, Washington DC.

Scalise represents Louisiana’s 1st congressional district.

The Speaker said strategies to strengthen economic cooperation, defense, and security engagements, along with bilateral strategic dialogue were discussed during the meetings.

“We, from the House of Representatives in Manila thank Majority Leader Scalise for his warm welcome, his kind words, and most importantly his commitment to further strengthening Philippine and US ties in various aspects,” Romualdez said.

“It was a fruitful and engaging meeting, to say the very least, and I feel that we are reaching new heights and levels of understanding,” he added.

According to Romualdez, legislators from both sides agree that they would do necessary work that would ensure that each country benefits from the “dynamic relationship”.

READ: PH lawmakers seek US Congress’ support for stronger defense, economic ties

“This solidifies the good working relationship between President Marcos and President Biden. Rest assured that legislators from both sides of the fence will follow through with the necessary work so that the benefits of this dynamic relationship would become more tangible tenfold,” he said.

“The majority leader [was] delighted to see the delegation. The Philippine government under President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has reintegrated relations [with the] US to provide stability, peace, and prosperity, especially in enhancing our capability for defense and stronger economic security,” he added.

Several lawmakers and officials including Scalise’s counterpart, Majority Floor Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe, joined Romualdez in the meeting:

• Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr.
• Navotas City Rep. Tobias Tiangco
• Agusan del Norte 1st District Rep. Jose Aquino II
• Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez
• House Secretary General Reginald Velasco
• House Sergeant-at-Arms Napoleon Taas

Aside from Scalise and US Rep. Young Kim (California-40) whom the Philippine delegation met on Tuesday, Romualdez and the said officials also talked to US Reps. Darrell Issa, Ami Bera, Mike Rogers, Christian Stewart, and Utah Attorney General Sean David Reyes who happens to be a Filipino-American.

READ: PH lawmakers seek continued support of US Congress

According to Romualdez’s office, the Philippines has received substantial defense aid from the US, both in terms of training and the acquisition of defense equipment — which totaled around US$1.8 billion from 2002 to 2021.

Romualdez’s office also highlighted that the US was an important ally, as evidenced by the strong economic partnership despite the crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With our strong economy, we invited the US to increase and expand its investments. Just recently I was with the economic team of President Marcos to help generate more investments during the 2023 World Bank Group-International Monetary Fund (WBG-IMF) Spring Meetings,” the Speaker said.

“Now the congressional delegation of the House leadership is engaging their counterparts in the US Congress. We are working all out with our strong message to come to the Philippines and invest there,” he added.

This is not the first time that the Speaker said that the two countries are in for stronger ties under the Marcos administration.  Last August 2022, Romualdez said during the visit of US lawmakers that the long-standing relationship between the two nations is only growing stronger.

Romualdez also assured US officials in October 2022 that the House will support bilateral cooperation, especially in the realm of health, security, and environment.

READ: Romualdez calls for tighter US-PHL economic cooperation

je