US congratulates Bongbong Marcos but pledges to promote rights

The United States said Wednesday it will seek close security ties with the Philippines under former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the leading presidential candidate, but made clear it would raise human rights.

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

"As friends, partners and allies, we will continue to collaborate closely with the Philippines to promote respect for human rights and to advance a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure and resilient Indo-Pacific region," Blinken said.

The top White House official on Asia, Kurt Campbell, acknowledged there "are some historical considerations" that initially may cause "some challenges in the communication."

"But obviously (the) Philippines plays such a critical, important role and we will seek to continue close partnership in the security realm and increasing trade and economic ties," Campbell said.

"Our expectation is we'll be able to continue to work closely," he said at the US Institute of Peace.

'Improved ties'

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

In a television interview, Rodriguez disclosed that Marcos is expecting a call from US President Joe Biden within the day. He said the Marcos administration's foreign policy would not be exclusive to any nation, stressing that the interest of Filipinos will be prioritized.

"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.

"We will not be exclusive to anyone, the interest of Filipino people and the national interest comes first and they will never be compromised, especially on our territorial integrity, it will never be compromised," Rodriguez said.

"But as far as our relationship with the United States under the administration of president-elect Bongbong, I assure you now that it will get better..." he added.

Based on partial and unofficial tally as of 7:17 a.m. on Thursday, Marcos has 31,103,670 votes, way ahead of second placer, Vice President Leni Robredo, who has 14,821,724.

Marcos, the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., will succeed President Rodrigo Duterte, who has waged a brutal war on drugs that rights groups say has killed tens of thousands.

Campbell, not mentioning human rights, said that "relations under President Duterte really rebounded towards the end, at least at the strategic level."

After taking office in 2016, Duterte used profanity to denounce Barack Obama after the then-US president raised rights concerns.

But Duterte enjoyed vocal support from Obama's successor Donald Trump and the United States across administrations has backed the Philippines in maritime disputes with China.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price earlier said the US is looking forward to working with the next Philippine president "on key human rights and regional priorities." He also said the May 9 elections in the Philippines were conducted according to international standards and without any major incident.

Price said once the next president is officially proclaimed, the US will work "to strengthen the enduring alliance between the United States and the Philippines.” —Agence France-Presse/RSJ, GMA News