Hillary Clinton greets Filipinos on Independence Day

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton waves as she arrives at Lusaka International Airport in Lusaka, Zambia, Friday. She has congratulated the Philippines ahead of its celebration of Independence Day on Sunday. AP

MANILA, Philippines—US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has congratulated the Filipinos on the 113th Philippine Independence celebration on Sunday as she expressed support for Manila’s drive to weed out corruption and reduce poverty.

“On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to congratulate the people of the Philippines on the 113th anniversary of your declaration of independence this June 12,” Clinton said in a statement.

Clinton noted the long-standing friendship between the United States and the Philippines, citing how the two countries have stood together as allies since World War II.

“The Philippines is a committed partner on so many issues,” she said, adding, “Today, we are working together on many new fronts.”

“Whether we are working to find ways to catalyze economic growth, helping victims of natural disasters, combating extremism, or calling for greater protection of human rights, our two countries share a vision of a better world,” Clinton said.

She expressed the United States’ support to the Philippines in its bid to curb corruption in government, promote judicial reform and attain the Millennium Development Goals of halving poverty by 2015.

“Our two countries are cooperating in new ways on everything from the Partnership for Growth joint effort to boost prosperity in the Philippines, to the Open Government Partnership initiative to improve governance and transparency around the globe,” she said.

“Together through our Millennium Challenge Corporation compact we are working to reduce poverty through economic growth,” she said.

“Please accept my sincere thanks for your friendship and best wishes for your continued success and prosperity on this special day,” Clinton said.

The Philippines proclaimed its sovereignty from the Spanish colonial rule on June 12, 1898.