US looks forward to work with next PH admin on ‘key human rights, regional priorities’

MANILA, Philippines — The United States is looking forward to working with the Philippines’ next president, particularly on “key human rights and regional priorities.”

“We’re monitoring the election results, and we look forward to renewing our special partnership and to working with the next administration on key human rights and regional priorities,” U.S. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a press briefing in Washington on Wednesday.

“We look forward to working with the president-elect, once that person is officially named, to strengthen the enduring alliance between the United States and the Philippines,” he added.

Price described the ties between Manila and Washingtong—which spans 75 years—as “enduring alliance that is rooted in a long and deeply interwoven history, shared democratic values and interests, and strong people-to-people ties between our countries as friends, as partners, as allies.”

“We’ll continue to collaborate closely to advance a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure and resilient Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

“We’ll also continue as I said before, to promote respect for human rights and the rule of law, which is fundamental to U.S. relations with the Philippines and other bilateral contexts as well,” Price added.

Based on the partial and unofficial count of the Commission on Elections, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is the presumptive presidential winner with over 31 million votes.

He is followed by his chief rival, Vice President Leni Robredo with more than 14.7 million votes.

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