MANILA, Philippines – United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson is confident there is “very strong” bipartisan support in the U.S. for U.S.-Philippines relations.
In an interview with media during the Election Watch Party hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Makati City on Wednesday, Amb. Carlson said that there is still very strong bipartisan support for U.S.-Philippines relations, and the results of the elections will not change that.
Carlson mentioned that she has experienced many transitions of administrations in her years with the State Department, but saw how “steadfast” and “strong” the U.S.-Philippines relations remained.
“We have been through a lot of transitions in my 39 years in the State Department. I have witnessed transitions from Republican to Democrat to Republican and back and forth,” Carlson told reporters.
“And I am extremely confident that U.S.-Philippines relations will remain steadfast, will remain steadfast friends and ironclad allies, as well as partners in prosperity, no matter who wins the election in the United States today,” Carlson reiterated.
Carlson and the US Embassy hosted an Election Watch event in Makati City on Wednesday, with information booths and a large LED screen flashing updates of the ongoing U.S. Elections.
In her remarks, Carlson said that the event is a “celebration” of the foundational elements of democracy – election day.”
Carlson also highlighted the role of the U.S. Embassy in helping U.S. citizens participate in the 2024 elections.
“Through the Federal Voting Assistance program, we have been providing U.S. citizens living in the Philippines with information they need to cast their ballots for national, state, and local elections – depending on their U.S. state of residence,” Carlson stated.
US Presence in the Indo-Pacific region “crucial”
Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez believes America’s continued presence in the Indo-Pacific is “crucial” to maintain stability and to uphold peace and security in the region.
In an interview with the program Dos Por Dos on Wednesday, Romualdez mentioned that under the Biden Administration, with Kamala Harris as Vice President, the Philippines has the U.S. full support in both country’s defense alliance, but there might be “slight” adjustments under a Trump administration due to his “America First” policy when it comes to the economy and investments."
"Very confident ako na kung sino man manalo, pareho lang dahil ofcourse ngayon nakikita naman natin na yung admin ni President Biden na kasama si Vice President Harris, suportado tayo lalo na sa ating defense alliance," Romualdez said.
[I’m very confident whoever wins, it will be the same, as we can see under the Biden Administration, with Vice President Harris, there is support for our defense alliance.]
Whatever the results of the elections, Romualdez believes that the U.S. will not pull out in the Indo-Pacific, as the South China Sea is very important to them.
"It will be disastrous if they pull out completely, which I don’t think they will do, because the South China Sea is very important to them. Trillions of dollars pass through there which will affect their economy," Romualdez said in a separate interview.
Romualdez said both Democrats and Republicans "have the same feeling that the Philippines is important for the US interest in the South China Sea and the Pacific region."
"It's important that the US remains engaged because all ASEAN countries feel the same way, we are not the only ones," he said.
"All our ASEAN neighbors and friends have the same feeling that the US must be present in the region because it is a counter to China."
