Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 4) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had a “productive” meeting with US senators as they discussed issues on defense, agriculture, climate change mitigation, economy and cyber security, Malacañang said Thursday.
According to the Palace, Marcos acknowledged that the dialogues should not only engage the executive but also members of the legislature.The president also stressed that talks on defense and security “remain the key pillar of Philippines-US bilateral relations.”
Malacañang added that Marcos also raised the country’s intention to further strengthen ties with the US government in the supply chain, health, environment, energy security, and interconnectivity.
Other Philippine government officials who participated in the meeting include Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.Meanwhile, the US government was represented by Sen. Robert Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Sen. James Risch; and other officials of the panel.Marcos flew to the US on Sunday for an official five-day working visit. He met with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and the top leaders expressed their commitment to boosting economic and military ties with the Philippines.
