MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Martin Romualdez is seeking the expansion of joint military exercises in the Philippines, which he said not only improves the country’s defense strategies but also forge strong ties with other allies.
Leading the Philippine delegation, Romualdez said they laid his proposals before United States (US) lawmakers such as Sen. William Francis Hagerty of Tennessee, Sen. Christopher Van Hollen of Maryland, and Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama on Tuesday (US time).
READ: Philippines, US to begin 2-week joint ‘Balikatan’ exercises on Monday
During their meeting, they mentioned the efficacy of the Balikatan exercises with the US and related activities with other regional allies.
“These exercises have shown their significant importance in boosting our tactical and operational prowess. With this program, we can improve stability, security, and peace in the Asia-Pacific region and better safeguard our nation,” Romualdez said in a statement.
He likewise appealed for an increased US foreign military financing (FMF) to the Philippines from $40 million (P2.2 billion).
“Given the strength of our alliance, the complexity of our evolving challenges, and our expanding engagements, I hope you will agree that the FMF also needs an increase,” Romualdez said.
Furthermore, the House leader thanked Hagerty for introducing the Philippines Enhanced Resilience Act of 2024 (PERA Act) before the US Senate.
According to Hagerty’s official website, the PERA Act is “a bill to strengthen and modernize the US Philippines alliance through significantly increased US security assistance.” It likewise “seeks $500 million (P28.6 billion) a year in FMF for the Philippines for 2025 through 2029, or a total of $2.5 billion (P142.9 billion) for five years.”
Romualdez said the bipartisan measure was introduced last April 10, a day before the trilateral summit in Washington DC of US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.