Palace looks forward to continuing partnership with US

Malacañang is confident that the Philippines and the United States’ diplomatic relations will be strengthened further during the term of President Joe Biden.

“We, in the Philippines, look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with the United States in working together for a freer and more peaceful world,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said yesterday.

The Philippines has sent notice to the US government about the termination of the Philippines-US defense agreement, following President Duterte’s decision to implement a policy geared toward China and Russia.

Under Biden’s term, Roque remains confident of a renewal of bilateral ties between the two long-time defense allies.

“We are confident that President Biden will wear his new mantle of leadership with pride and with due regard for the hopes and aspirations of the rest of the world,” Roque said.

Although he has warm ties with former president Donald Trump,

Duterte has also pushed for the suspension of the Balikatan exercises after some US lawmakers called out alleged human rights violations in Duterte’s war on drugs.

Prior to this, Roque extended Duterte’s congratulations to new US President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Presidential Communications Operations Office chief Secretary Martin Andanar also extended the administration’s greetings of congratulations and best wishes to United States’ Biden and Harris upon their assumption of official duties.