Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
United States President Joseph R. Biden Jr. spoke with President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines on Wednesday to congratulate him on his election, the White House said.
“President Biden underscored that he looks forward to working with the President-elect to continue strengthening the U.S.-Philippine Alliance, while expanding bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, including the fight against COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, promoting broad-based economic growth, and respect for human rights,” read the White House statement.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Wednesday also congratulated Marcos Jr. on his election as the Philippines’ next president.
“On behalf of the United States, I congratulate President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on his election as the Philippines’ next president. We look forward to working with President-elect Marcos to strengthen the enduring alliance between the United States and the Philippines,” Blinken said in a statement.
Blinken added, “Our special partnership is rooted in a long and deeply interwoven history, shared values and interests, and strong people-to-people ties. As friends, partners, and allies, we will continue to collaborate closely with the Philippines to promote respect for human rights and to advance a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.
“We commend the millions of Filipino voters who cast their ballots in this election, and we look forward to the official conclusion of the electoral process for the many offices in the national elections.”
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. claimed victory in the 2022 Philippines elections on Wednesday. His spokesperson quoted him as saying that the “people have spoken decisively.”
Marcos Jr. is the son and namesake of the late dictator who is known in Philippines as “Bongbong.”
His chief of staff and spokesperson Victor Rodriguez said Marcos Jr. has promised to be a “President for all Filipinos.”
With 98 percent of the votes counted, Marcos Jr. received 31 million votes while his closes rival, the outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo, got about 14 million votes., according to partial and unofficial results.
“In historic numbers, the people have used their democratic vote to unite our nation,” the statement said. “This is a victory for all Filipinos, and for democracy. To those who voted for Bongbong, and those who did not, it is his promise to be a President for all Filipinos. To seek common ground across political divides, and to work together to unite the nation.”
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