By Junex Doronio
MANILA — With the solid commitment of the United States and Japan to uphold Philippine interests in the West Philippine Sea, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Saturday (13 April 2024) said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. scored a “strategic victory” for the country.
Romualdez cited the Joint Vision Statement that U.S. President Joe Biden, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and President Marcos Jr. released following their historic trilateral meeting in Washington D.C. on Thursday (11 April 2024), expressing opposition against the aggressive conduct of China’s Coast Guard and fishing militia vessels in the WPS.
“President Marcos, Jr.’s steadfast leadership and diplomatic initiatives significantly advanced our country’s national interests, especially in upholding our sovereignty and safeguarding our territorial integrity, particularly in the West Philippine Sea,” said Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives.
The Speaker from Leyte pointed out that Marcos Jr. enjoys the full support of the House of Representatives for his efforts to protect “our nation’s interests in the West Philippine Sea and in promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”
“The House of Representatives stands firmly behind President Marcos, Jr. and his diplomatic initiatives to uphold rules-based international order as the foundation of regional peace and prosperity,” Romualdez stressed.
He also expressed hopes the historic trilateral meeting would serve to de-escalate the simmering tensions in the WPS for the mutual benefit of all the stakeholders.
Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that Romualdez is likely the “anointed one” by PBBM for the 2028 presidential race.
They added that ACT-CIS party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo also looms as Romualdez’s running mate.
(el Amigo/MNM)
