UNITED States Embassy in Manila Chargè d’Affaires John Law is optimistic that the US-Philippines relations will continue to be strong whoever wins in the US presidential election.
At the election watch party hosted by the US Embassy in Manila yesterday, Law said “every US Embassy works very hard for the best possible relationship with the host government. We will continue to do that here in Manila regardless of the results of the US election.”
“Our goal is to find those areas where US-Philippines interests correspond and do our best to have the most productive relationship for the benefit of both our peoples,” he said.
Law noted “the US and Philippine relationship is very very old, is very very strong. There have been Republicans and Democratic Presidents of the United States and different administrations in the Philippines. One constant has been the relationship between our peoples, the relationship between our countries is always very strong and of that I’m certain.”
The fate of Republican President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden will be decided as the presidential race winded up on Wednesday.
“What we celebrate today is the strength of American democracy with all its flaws and weaknesses and mistakes.”
Law added “for two and a half centuries, the American people have worked tirelessly to improve it and make our union ever more perfect and that will not change.”
President Rodrigo Duterte had been at odds with the administration of former US President Barack Obama, a democrat, who had been critical of the Philippines’ campaign against illegal drugs.
On the other hand, Trump refrained from attacking the government’s anti-drug war and has developed a “personal relationship” with Duterte.
As of 3pm (Philippine time), Biden had 224 electoral votes as against Trump’s 213, based on PBS NewsHour tally.
