President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed eagerness to collaborate with the new US administration as he congratulated President Donald Trump and the American people for a seamless transfer of power.
“I look forward to working closely with you and your administration,” Mr. Marcos said in a statement shared on social media on Tuesday.
He also highlighted the enduring alliance between the Philippines and the United States, emphasizing its role in promoting regional prosperity and security.
“The strong and lasting PH-US alliance will continue to uphold our shared vision of prosperity and security in the region,” the Philippine leader said.
For his part, Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza, who attended Trump’s inauguration, said: “On behalf of the House of Representatives of the Philippines and Honorable Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to US President Donald Trump on his inauguration.”
Mendoza, nominee of the TUCP party-list group, said that with Trump’s presidency, US-Philippines relations will be strengthened further.
“Above all, we look forward to further strengthening the special friendship, partnership, and alliance between the Philippines and the United States anchored on our shared vision and values of democracy, security, equity, and prosperity—especially for every worker and their family at home and abroad,” the lawmaker said.
Meanwhile, Filipino-Americans expressed mixed reactions over Trump’s return to the Oval Office, especially in light of his strong anti-immigrant stance and his pronouncement to end diversity programs, according to US Filipinos for Good Governance Coordinator Eric Lachica.
“It’s a mixed bag. Just like the results of the elections, the reactions are 50-50. Some of our friends are very enthusiastic about the new golden age that President Trump mentioned,” Lachica said in an interview with ANC News.
However, Fil-Ams on the opposite side of the political spectrum expressed apprehension over the returning President’s plans to introduce policy shifts, such as rescinding executive orders protecting diversity and LGBTQ rights.
For Lachica, the financial and strategic partnership remains a key aspect of US-Philippine relations.
“As a Filipino-American, a patriotic American, that’s the bottom line between the two countries,” he said.
University of the Philippines Department of Political Science Chairperson Aries Arugay, for his part, said the Philippines must pursue an independent foreign and strategic policy, free from reliance on the US or any other superpower.
“Trump’s foreign policy could also be highly unpredictable, given his personal touch, his strongman personality… I do think it’s also important the Philippines prepares for contingency, just in case the US doesn’t remain committed to the alliance,” Arugay said during an interview with ANC News.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Marcos congratulates Trump on return to White House.”