United States Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday paid her courtesy call to President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. at the Malacañang Palace.
During her visit, Harris recalled the relationship of the Philippines-United States as a "long and enduring one."
"The relationship between the Philippines and the United States is a long and enduring one. It is one relationship that is strong for so many reasons. It is the longstanding relationship in terms of the people-to-people ties, as you and I have discussed," Harris told the Marcos.
"The basis of our relationship is multifaceted. Our relationship is based on commitment to the economic prosperity of the region and our respective nations," she added.
Harris, the first woman and first woman of color to become US vice president, is slated to visit Puerto Princesa in Palawan to meet with local fishermen, community leaders and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The President, for his part, said the partnership between the two countries "becomes even more important" with the "upheavals that we are seeing."
"The situation is rapidly changing. We must evolve to be properly responsive to that situation, so that is why it is very important that we continue to progress, that we continue to strengthen as we redefine those relationships," Marcos pointed out.
"Your visit is a very strong symbol that these relationships remain strong, that these relationships remain important as indeed they do. The Filipino, I have said, many times, I do not see a future for the Philippines that does not include the United States," the President told Harris.
Prior to this, Harris met with her Philippine counterpart, Sara Duterte.
Harris arrived in the Philippines on Sunday, in what was the first visit in five years by a high-ranking US official since former President Donald Trump visited the country for the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.
She was accompanied by her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
