President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sent his well wishes to Donald Trump, who is projected to win a fresh mandate from the American people, underscoring the “unshakeable alliance” between the United States and the Philippines.
“President Trump has won, and the American people triumphed, and I congratulate them for their victory in an exercise, which showed the world the strength of American values,” Mr. Marcos said.
“We look forward to working with President Trump on a wide range of issues that will yield mutual benefits to two nations with deep ties, shared beliefs, common vision, and a long history of working together.”
“I am hopeful that this unshakeable alliance, tested in war and peace, will be a force of good that will blaze a path of prosperity and amity, in the region, and in both sides of the Pacific. This is a durable partnership the Philippines is fully committed to because it is founded on the ideals we share: freedom and democracy,” the President added.
Mr. Marcos expressed confidence that Trump’s “robust leadership will result in a better future for all of us.”
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, for her part, said the US-Philippine relations will continue to be robust.
“I am extremely confident that the US-Philippine relations will remain steadfast, ironclad allies, and partners for prosperity no matter who wins the election in the United States today,” Carlson said on Wednesday in Manila.
Carlson said there has been very strong bipartisan support in the US when it comes to bilateral relations with the Philippines regardless if the incumbent administration is a Republican or a Democrat.
“When you look at the foreign military financing and the support for the US-Philippine military relationship, it is as many Republicans as Democrats who are enthusiastically supporting the US-Philippine alliance,” she said.
“I think when you look at the latticework of relationships that have been built up, not just over this current administration, but before, remember when you think about the security situation here in the Indo-Pacific, it was under the Trump administration that Secretary of State (Mike) Pompeo came out and lent credence and support to the arbitral ruling that weighed in favor of the Philippines with regard to access and rights at Ayungin Shoal, for example,” Carlson added.
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez added the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US will remain unchanged regardless of the election outcome.
“The defense establishment here is very much aligned with the way they want our lives to continue. The Visiting Forces Agreement has been in place for many years, and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement has also been around since 2016. That agreement continues, which we respect,” Romualdez said in a dzBB interview.
Analysts said while there may be a difference in policy approach between Trump and Kamala Harris, the US geostrategic interests remain consistent.
“The leverage that Manila holds at this juncture lies in the convergence of strategic interests and the alliance,” geopolitical analyst Matteo Piasentini told This Week in Asia, referring to the MDT.
At the House of Representatives, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda underscored the need for “a very adept strategy for capturing foreign investments regardless of the result” of the US elections.
“Trump’s tariff policies will inevitably shake up the global investment regime. It could go both ways, but my guess is it turns off enough ‘globalized’ manufacturing companies from the US and will only boost the current shift of manufacturing bases towards Southeast Asia. The Philippines must have its sights on these investments,” Salceda said.
“As always, our special relationship with the US has always endured regardless of who’s in charge. And that will probably stay the same way…The good news is we have already been through a Trump presidency. We know him, his predispositions, and the difference between his campaign rhetoric and actual policy,” he added.
Senators likewise welcomed Trump’s apparent win.
“We can see that the United States of America has once again leaned towards Conservatism, the protection of the Family and their respect for God and country… As a Catholic my heart is full of joy that hopefully there would be an agenda that is Pro Family, Pro God, Pro Economy, even Pro Gun and Anti Crime,” Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said.
“Looking forward to strengthening the alliance between our countries that will benefit our kababayans, both here and abroad,” Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said.
Senator Ronald dela Rosa added: “My kumpadre is winning the polls. I think I can visit the US of A again.”
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Marcos congratulates Trump for winning 2024 US Elections.”
