Japan congratulates Bongbong, Sara

The Japanese government has formally congratulated presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and presumptive vice president Sara Duterte-Carpio following their apparent victory in the May 9 polls.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Foreign Affairs Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa have issued letters of congratulations to Marcos and Duterte-Caprio, respectively, for their victory.

“Prime Minister Kishida, in the letter, extended his congratulations to president-elect Marcos, and conveyed his determination to further promote cooperation as Strategic Partners in a wide range of areas toward the realization of a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific,’” the Japanese embassy in Manila said in a statement.

“Minister Hayashi, in the letter, extended his congratulations to vice president-elect Duterte-Carpio and, with reference to the history of people-to-people exchanges of the two countries in Davao where she originates, conveyed his hope for further deepening of the bilateral friendly relations,” it added.

Marcos and DuterteCaprio are leading in the partial and unofficial tally of votes in the recent polls.

The winners in the presidential and vice presidential race will be formally proclaimed after the canvassing of votes to be conducted by Congress later this month.

Various world leaders have already congratulated Marcos for his apparent victory, including United States President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles also congratulated Marcos for his victory and the entire Philippines for the conduct of the national elections.