US Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff welcome President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. chats with US Vice President Kamala Harris at her residence in US Naval Observatory, Washington, DC, on Tuesday, May 02, 2023. (Photo by KJ ROSALES / PPA POOL)
WASHINGTON, DC, United States — The friendship between the Philippines and the United States is on the “upside” after going through various cycles, as in any relationship, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told US Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday.
“It is natural, after all the different cycles as in any friendship — this is what I was telling Secretary Blinken yesterday, like any friendship we go through many cycles and I think this is an upside now to that cycle,” Marcos said as Harris welcomed him and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos at her official residence at the US Naval Observatory here in the US capital.
Marcos thanked Harris for “laying the groundwork” for his meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday.
“I think that has given us the very, very attractive opportunity to continue to strengthen the relationship between our two countries in the face – in the context of all of the difficulties and complexities, the rising tensions in our region and the world. Once again, we turn to our American partners, our only treaty partner in the world,” Marcos said.
In reply, Harris said: “I’m looking forward to our time together this morning, but I want to thank you because the strength of the alliance between the United States and the Philippines is probably stronger than ever. And through your leadership, we have been able to continue to do the work that we have that is a priority around our mutual prosperity and security.”
She recounted her visit to the Philippines in November last year, where she said she and Marcos discussed the importance of working for a clean energy economy and issues relating to food security and digital inclusion.
“And on the issue of security of course, the work that our countries are doing together as it relates to the South China Sea, as it relates to what we must do in terms of continuing to work together through our coast guards,” she said.
In November last year, Harris went to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, where she met with residents, civil society leaders, and Philippine Coast Guard officials.
Harris is the highest-ranking US official ever to visit Palawan.