Marcos calls to congratulate Trump, cites Fil-Am votes he got

Newly elected 47th US President Donald Trump (left) and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. —Photos: Official Facebook pages of Donald Trump and Bongbong Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos said he had personally congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump in a “very friendly and productive” phone call on Tuesday morning, where he expressed his desire to see the Philippine-American alliance enduring under Trump’s second term.

Marcos said he reminded the incoming Republican president that Filipino Americans “overwhelmingly voted for him” and that “I’m sure he will remember that when we see each other.’’

“I was able to talk to him this morning and the Philippines was in his thoughts,” Marcos told reporters in Catanduanes province, where he flew in for an inspection of the damage wrought by Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi) during the weekend.

READ: 2.14M Fil-Am voters crucial in battleground states

“I expressed to him our continuing desire to strengthen that relationship between our two countries, which is a relationship that is as deep as can possibly be—because it has been for a very long time,” Mr. Marcos said.

New pact

The call took place a day after Manila and Washington signed an agreement to secure the exchange of highly confidential military intelligence and technology in key weapons the United States would provide to the Philippines.

Forged with the outgoing Biden administration, the legally binding General Security of Military Information Agreement was sealed at a time when the longtime treaty allies have boosted their defense and military engagements, including large-scale joint combat drills, largely in response to China’s increasingly aggressive actions in Asia.

“I plan to meet with him as soon as I can. He said he might be back in the White House by the time that I can go see him,” President Marcos said, referring to Trump who is scheduled to take his oath as America’s 47th president at noon on Jan. 20, 2025.

‘How’s Imelda?’

Trump, 78, also asked about Marcos’ 95-year-old mother and former first lady Imelda. “He is friends with my mother. He knew my mother very well. He asked about her. ‘How is Imelda?” I told him that she also sends her greetings,” he said.

“[I]t was a very good call; it was a very friendly call, very productive. And I am glad that I was able to do it, and I think President-elect Trump was also happy to hear from the Philippines.”

The conversation, he said, did not touch on Trump’s immigration policy, a key issue of his campaign that can potentially affect the Fil-Am community.

“We didn’t talk about that. It was just a congratulatory call,’’ he said when asked if the subject came up. “But, of course, our ambassador (to Washington, Jose Manuel Romualdez) is already working on that.”

Shortly after Trump emerged victorious over Vice President and Democrat rival Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 US presidential election, Mr. Marcos said he looked forward to working with Trump “on a wide range of issues,” to “further strengthen our ties and promote peace, stability and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region.”

“The overwhelming support of Filipinos in the United States on your triumphant win is a testament to the deep and enduring friendship between our nations.” —with reports from Julie Aurelio and AP