House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez | PHOTO: Official website of the House of Representatives / congress.gov.ph
MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has pointed out to his counterpart, United States (US) House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the need to step up bilateral discussions particularly on economic issues.
Romualdez in a statement on Thursday said that the meeting between him and McCarthy was fruitful, insisting again that the Philippine-US ties have never been stronger and are reaching new heights.
However, he said that the relationship between the two countries has to produce tangible results too.
“Our message to the US legislators was clear. The US-Philippine relation is strong, and is reaching new heights and levels of understanding under the administrations of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and US President Joe Biden. Our defense and security arrangements are solid, and our bilateral strategic partnership is working,” Romualdez said.
“However, we also pointed out the need to step up bilateral discussions on economic issues to make the benefits of this dynamic relationship more tangible tenfold for our people. We need to strengthen not only our defense cooperation, but also our economic partnership,” he added.
Romualdez said the meeting was “fruitful” since they were able to bring up important issues.
“Our meeting proved fruitful as the Philippine delegation managed to impress on Speaker McCarthy the need for the legislative representatives of the two countries to ramp up discussions on how to further boost US-Philippine relations,” he said.
“Philippine-US relations remain strong. Our security alliance under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty is ironclad. Our economic partnership is robust. And the friendship between our two peoples is solid,” he added.
The Philippine House leader met with McCarthy at the US Capitol on Wednesday night (Manila time). He was accompanied by Majority Floor Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe, Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., and Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.
Speaker Romualdez also extended an invitation for McCarthy, who represents California, to visit the Philippines. In a video sent by Romualdez’s office, the House leader personally invited McCarthy to come to the Philippines and see how strong the Philippines-US ties are.
“I want more closer together, more close to your country too,” McCarthy told Romualdez.
“That’s what we’re here for, we want to invite you to the Philippines because as partners […] we want to manifest to you the Philippines’ relationship is on the rise again,” the Philippine official replied.
Romualdez and other lawmakers are in the US to attend a series of lectures and engagements with US officials. On Wednesday, the Philippine delegation met with their US counterparts, particularly US House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (Louisiana-1), US Reps. Darrell Issa, Ami Bera, Mike Rogers, and Christian Stewart.
The lawmakers also met with US Rep. Young Kim (California-40) on Tuesday.
READ: PH lawmakers seek US Congress’ support for stronger defense, economic ties
READ: Romualdez says PH-US ties reaching ‘new heights’ after lawmakers meet
This is not the first time that Romualdez touted the stronger Philippine-US ties under the Marcos administration. Last August 2022, Romualdez said during the visit of US lawmakers to the Philippines that the long-standing relationship between the two nations is only growing stronger.
READ: As US lawmakers visit PH, Romualdez said ties between two countries getting 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.