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Biden congratulates Marcos, vows to continue strong alliance with Philippines


US President Joe Biden on Thursday congratulated former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is poised to win the presidency with a huge lead over his rivals, saying Washington will work closely with his administration to continue America’s strong alliance with the Philippines, Manila's top envoy to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said.

Biden, on board the Air Force One from Chicago, called Marcos around 9 a.m., Romualdez told GMA News Online.

“It was a very good conversation,” he said. “Biden reassured Marcos Jr. that we, the US, would like to work with him and continue our relations.”

In a separate statement, the White House confirmed the phone call between Biden and Marcos.

“President Biden underscored that he looks forward to working with the President-elect to continue strengthening the U.S.-Philippine Alliance, while expanding bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, including the fight against COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, promoting broad-based economic growth, and respect for human rights,” the White House statement said.

Biden and Marcos also talked about strengthening relations in trade and diplomacy, as well as their common interest in democracy, self-determination, and economic recovery.

Biden, according to Romualdez, assured Marcos that the US will remain steadfast in supporting the Philippines in its post-pandemic recovery efforts.

“He said we will work together amid pandemic and we will continue to value our relationship and continue to strengthen our democracy,” Romualdez said.

In response, Marcos thanked Biden, stressing that he and the Filipino people hold the country’s ties with the US in high regard.

Romualdez said Marcos also invited Biden to his inauguration on June 30. 

In a statement, Marcos said the invitation was meant to "further fortify" the relationship between the two countries.

“Biden said thank you and of course we don’t know if he would attend, but most likely they will send a delegation,” Romualdez said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also sent a congratulatory message, saying that "we look forward to working with President-elect Marcos to strengthen the enduring alliance between the United States and the Philippines."

In response, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, Marcos' spokesperson, said there would be "improved ties" with the United States under the Marcos administration.

"What I can tell you, you can expect and look forward to a better relationship with our long-time partner and ally in the United States and the foreign policy of President-elect Bongbong, it will be inclusive," Rodriguez told ANC.

Based on unofficial election returns received by the church-backed elections watchdog PPCRV and authorized media outlets, Marcos, 64, son and namesake of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos who was ousted in a people power revolt in 1986, appears to have won the presidential elections with a landslide margin over his closest challenger, Vice President Leni Robredo, and eight other candidates.—with a report from Anna Felicia Bajo/AOL/VBL, GMA News
 

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