Speaker Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday night expressed confidence that the Philippines and the United States’ close and friendly ties will remain strong under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“We extend our deep appreciation to your delegation for giving us this opportunity to fortify our engagements with the US Congress on matters beneficial to the Philippines and the United States,” Romualdez said.
This was part of his remarks welcoming a visiting five-member US delegation led by Sen. Edward John Markey (Democrat-Massachusetts) during the US-Philippines Congressional Delegation Friendship Caucus held at the Manila Golf and Country Club.
Romualdez, who represents the first legislative district of Leyte, also expressed his and the Filipinos’ deep gratitude to the US for being one of the first responder-countries in the aftermath of the immense devastation and loss of lives caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas in November 2013.
“Indeed, your presence here means a lot to us. It is an opportunity for us to further deepen and strengthen our ties of friendship and manifest our deep appreciation for the strong support and for all the assistance during our crises after Typhoon Haiyan in my district,” Romualdez said.
The other members of the US delegation are Reps. Alan Lowenthal (Democrat-California), John Garamendi (Democrat, California), Donald Sternoff Beyer, Jr. (Democrat, Virginia), and Aumua Amata Radewagen (Republican, American Samoa).
The Speaker was joined in the fellowship and discussions by Senate President Pro-Tempore Loren Legarda, Sen. Francis Tolentino, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, and Reps. Stella Quimbo of Marikina City, Teodorico Haresco of Aklan, Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte, and Edgar Chatto of Bohol, and by Mrs. Bernadette Barbers and former Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo.
“The relationship is getting stronger despite all the crises that we faced in the international arena. I know this relationship will endure and help us here stay the course, moving forward peace, prosperity, and progress, not just in the Philippines, but in the region and of course with our partner, the United States,” Romualdez said.
“Thank you for coming tonight, for allowing me to host you and meet you and engage you one-on-one, to assure you that the flame that burns in our hearts that had started a long, long time ago between the Filipino-American People will continue.”
“Our people spilt their blood here in the hills of Bataan and that soil fertilized that relationship, that blood of US and American soldiers. These are the ties and binds that go deep and very well rooted in our conscience.”
“I’d like to say thank you again, and welcome to the Philippines and we wish you come and visit us more often, thank you,” Romualdez said in his speech.
The Speaker said he is confident that the visit of US lawmakers would help broaden and strengthen the engagement between the two countries
and bolster bilateral initiatives.
Romualdez said he was thankful that the PH-US alliance has remained robust, and that the inter-parliamentary engagement would help cement the bond of friendship that has been forged throughout the years.
He cited the US and Filipino legislators’ Friendship Caucus, which he said has been instrumental in maintaining and strengthening US-Philippine cooperation on political, economic, and security issues, as well as addressing the domestic needs and concerns of the millions of Filipino Americans residing throughout the United States.
The Speaker assured his American visitors that the Philippine House of Representatives will remain committed in enacting laws that would help
deepen cooperation with the US.
He also thanked the US for its COVID-19 vaccine donations, saying he hoped America would continue to help the Philippines fight the pandemic.