PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON, DC WELCOMES ALLIES, PARTNERS AND FRIENDS AT DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION CELEBRATING THE 126TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

PRESS RELEASE
WDC-43-2024
13 June 2024
Embassy Press and Information Section
info@phembassy-us.org

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Embassy of the Philippines welcomed important partners in U.S. government agencies and the U.S. Congress as well as the Diplomatic Corps at a reception on June 13 to celebrate the 126th anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of the Philippines.

In his remarks, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez highlighted the Philippines as a free, independent and sovereign nation pursuing an independent foreign policy, committed to promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific Region, maintaining friendship to all and enmity to none. He noted with deep satisfaction the increased engagement between the Philippines and the U.S. in many areas and at various levels, and aptly described the bilateral relationship between the two countries as being on hyperdrive. 

Ambassador Romualdez emphasized that the strong bilateral relationship between the Philippines and the United States is being leveraged to take advantage of synergies through new platforms such as the trilateral arrangement among the Philippines, Japan and the United States. At the same time, he underscored the Philippines’ commitment to ASEAN and ASEAN Centrality, stating “I firmly believe that with a strong and united ASEAN, we will be able to effectively address the challenges confronting our region.” 

In response, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell lauded the role played by Ambassador Romualdez in growing the bilateral partnership by serving as a bridge between the two countries. He characterized the U.S.-Philippines relations as being in a renaissance, stating “we are rebuilding a relationship that we all treasure… But what we are seeking to do is to basically build a broader, deeper relationship than even during the Golden Age, so to speak, back when we were primarily a military alliance.”

Dr. Campbell stated that the two countries are seeking to advance their partnership in areas such as technology, education, culture, people-to-people, diplomacy and defense, and to make the relationship more multi-faceted. He echoed the sentiments of Ambassador Romualdez that while much has been done, there is still much more to do. ###