By Katrina Gracia Consebido
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is optimistic in establishing a stronger alliance between the United States and the Philippines that would bring more opportunities for the economic growth of the country.
During the New York Stock Exchange Economic Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 20, Marcos said the United States has been a longtime ally of the country and that he still looks forward to continuing the partnership.
“[It] is very clear to me in my vision for the way that the country will move forward that I cannot see the Philippines in the future without the United States as a partner,” he said.
“Although I was referring to the geopolitics of it and I was referring to the political situation in the region and around the world, that certainly does continue to apply in our exchanges in the economic front,” he added.
Marcos noted that many of the drivers of the early Philippine economy were American companies.
“Many of the strongest corporate benefactors really to the government and to the rest of society in the Philippines were coming from the United States,” he said.
The head of state expressed optimism that the relationship with the country’s long-time ally will continue and become stronger.
“I believe that the political, economic, diplomatic relations that we make, the partnerships that we forged and that we strengthen now are going to be extremely necessary for the simple reason that they provide stability in this highly unstable economic, political, geopolitical, diplomatic environment,” he said.
Moreover, he said the two countries are “driven together” in “becoming stronger and becoming more robust” as they work together towards exploring opportunities in the new global economy. -ag