THE House of Representatives on Wednesday recognized outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg for his exemplary contributions to further strengthen the diplomatic ties between Manila and Washington.
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and House Majority Floor Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said Goldberg received a Golden Mace Award in a House plenary session.
“Whereas, his efforts and contributions to the Philippines, especially the humanitarian assistance, which further enhanced the ties and friendship of the Philippines and the United States of America deserve our commendation,” the House Resolution recognizing Goldberg’s contributions to the RP- UD ties said.
After the awarding, Goldberg held a brief press conference but refused to answer questions from the media about President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest gay slur.
Goldberg on Wednesday said it would not be productive to respond to the latest gay slur of Duterte, saying it would be unproductive of him to reply to such comments.
“I’m a diplomat and I don’t respond to those kinds of comments. Quite frankly I don’t think it’s productive. I don’t think it’s consistent with what I was just talking about which is the great friendship of our two countries, the great alliance between the US and the Philippines,” Goldberg said.
Goldberg, meanwhile, said his contributions to the good RP-US ties was such an excellent experience.
“It’s a great honor for me but mostly it’s a great honor for my country and mostly it represents the friendship, the great partnership, the great alliance between our two countries,” Goldberg stressed.