Marcos thanks US lawmakers for continued support to PH

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed gratitude to members of the United States Congressional Delegation (CODEL) for their support and partnership amid “new challenges” in the region. 

Led by Representative Michael T. McCaul (Republican-Texas) who serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Chairman Emeritus of the House Committee on Homeland Security, a US Congressional delegation paid courtesy call on Marcos on Thursday. 

“The fruits of those partnership, of those alliance that we are now forming to face up to these new challenges that we really had before are I think is very true although we are [coming] from resolution at least to manage the situation,” Marcos told US lawmakers. 

“Again, on behalf of the Philippines, we express our gratitude for all the United States has done and continues to do in support of our alliance and to strong adherence for the Philippines," he added. 

Marcos did not elaborate on these new challenges. 

McCaul was accompanied by Representative Addison Graves Wilson (Republican- 2nd district of South Carolina), a member of House Committee on Foreign Affairs. 

McCaul also thanked the Philippine President for the country’s support to the US. He also praised Marcos for his “very strong” speech in Asia’s premier Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last May. 

“The supplemental (appropriation) is very important, we see Israel, see Ukraine, see Indo-Pacific—three areas in the world, three regions [receiving] attack from tyrannical governments. We see President Putin and President Xi made an alliance in Beijing,” McCaul said. 

The American lawmaker also ensured that that the Philippines is included in their Foreign Military Financing (FMF).

American officials made an announcement at the 4th PH-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on the proposed allocation of US$500 million for the Philippines out of the US$2.5 billion FMF supplemental budget for the Indo-Pacific region. 

In a separate social media post, Marcos thanked McCaul for giving him an Old West cowboy boots. He also called his meeting with the US lawmakers as productive.

''In keeping with Philippine folklore and traditions, it was only right that I gave him a coin. It was a pleasure as always to exchange views with you. I hope the Philippines and [the] US will keep walking towards our shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific,'' Marcos said.

The US has been the Philippines’ oldest ally, with bilateral defense and security engagement remaining a key pillar of their relations. 

When it comes to the economic sector, the US remains an important and strategic trading and investment partner of the Philippines as they have a common interest in advancing agriculture and food security, promoting energy security, boosting trade and building supply chain resilience, enhancing connectivity and digitalization, and protecting critical infrastructure. 

The two countries established formal diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946. —VAL, GMA Integrated News