President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday expressed confidence that the Philippines-United States alliance will continue to advance with renewed conviction and commitment, as both nations mark the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
In a ceremony attended by a high-level Philippine and U.S. audience in Malacañan Palace, President Marcos led the unveiling of the special logo of the Philippines and U.S. governments to be used during commemorative activities throughout the year, celebrating the historic ties established on July 4, 1946.
The President said the anniversary logo was developed to capture and symbolize the eight decades of this enduring friendship.
“From opposite sides of the Pacific, our two countries have bridged distance and differences, guided by our shared history and our common advocacies,” said the President.
“I am confident that this alliance will move forward with even greater conviction and commitment to the security, prosperity, and resilience of our peoples and of our region.”
The 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States also coincides with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
“For 80 of those 250 years, the Philippines has been proud to call the United States a trusted friend, a steadfast partner, and an unwavering ally,” said the President.
This year also mark the 75th anniversary of the Philippine-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty, which guides the conduct of defense and security relations, the President continued.
“Any enduring relationship requires commitment and sustained effort, and we have certainly done the needed work,” the Chief Executive said, noting the broad and comprehensive cooperation across various areas addressing domestic, regional, and international concerns.
“More importantly, we seize opportunities through bilateral, unilateral, and multilateral channels, while expanding our partnership into new frontiers such as cyber and outer space,” the President added.
President Marcos recalled his visit to the U.S. last year as the first and only leader from an Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) country so far to be invited to the White House by U.S. President Donald Trump during his second term.
“Our positive initial engagement provided renewed momentum for sustained high-level exchanges, and more importantly, it reaffirmed the foundational groundwork that continues to strengthen our alliance,” the President said.
