PSAC welcomes Blinken’s bid to deepen bilateral ties

Private sector leaders have extended their full support to President Marcos as he deepened ties with the United States during US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s diplomatic visit to the country last March 19.

Blinken visited to reinforce the United States’ relationship with the Philippines and explore further cooperation on economic, technology and security investments in the region.

“PSAC (Private Sector Advisory Council) supports any effort to strengthen ties between the Philippines and the United States. The US government actively encouraging American businesses to invest in the Philippines is hugely beneficial for our economy, and so we are fully committed to cooperation,” PSAC strategic lead convenor and Aboitiz Group president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz said.

Blinken visited Malacañang for a courtesy call where he met Marcos, PSAC and key officials to reiterate the US’ commitment to developing the Philippines’ capabilities as its oldest ally in the Indo-Pacific region. He noted that ever since Marcos’ meeting with US President Joseph Biden Jr. last May, the two countries have achieved remarkable progress in their relationship.

“Our focus, our determination when it comes to the Indo-Pacific and our engagement there, and specifically the relationship between our countries, could not be greater, could not be stronger, could not be more determined,” Blinken said.

“It is extremely encouraging for the Philippines that despite all of these extremely important issues that you have to attend to, that you consider the Philippines important enough to take time from all of those globally important issues to be with us in the Philippines here today,” Marcos said.

Blinken highlighted the economic partnerships between the US and the Philippines that have turned it into a strategic partner in the region, specifically praising the Philippines’ impact on the semiconductor industry.