Washington friends toast PH independence anniversary

From left, US Undersecretary of Defense Theresa Whelan; US Undersecretary of State Thomas Shannon, Jr.; Philippine Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Minister Patrick A. Chuasoto; US Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo; and US Congressman Robert Scott toast to Philippine Independence and the enduring alliance and close friendship between the Philippines and the United States. CONTRIBUTED 

WASHINGTON, DC — More than 160 guests representing the US government, foreign diplomatic missions, business sector and the Filipino community took part in the celebration “Kalayaan 2017: Pagbabagong Sama-Samang Balikatin” June 8, at the Philippine Chancery Annex Building to mark the 119^th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence.

“As a member of good standing in the international community and in pursuit of its national objectives, the Philippines seeks fruitful partnerships with other countries, based on mutual respect, understanding and benefit,” said Philippine Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Minister Patrick A. Chuasoto. “We seek friendships based on shared interests, but not at the expense of any one country. We seek to build more bridges, to strengthen old valued partnerships and at the same time strengthen new relationships and build new partnerships,” he emphasized.

The occasion also served to reaffirm the strong and steadfast bond between the Philippines and the United States, both within the bilateral and ASEAN frameworks.

“The United States has also been an enduring and reliable ally of the Philippines. The United States is our only treaty ally. The Philippines is also the United States’ oldest ally in Asia. Our friendship is decades long, reinforced by an alliance that continues to stand strong whether in good or challenging times,” Chuasoto stated.

Ambassadors and high-ranking officials from ASEAN Embassies attend the Philippine Independence Day celebration held at the Philippine Embassy Chancery Annex in the evening of 08 June 2017. CONTRIBUTED

The guest of honor, Thomas Shannon Jr., US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, echoed the sentiment by describing Philippines-US ties to be “almost a family relationship.”

“As we have been for over a half-century, the US and Filipino peoples are united in our commitment to building a safe, secure and prosperous Asia Pacific region and wider world,” Shannon remarked.

He added, “The Philippines and the United States are on the same team – allies – and though the challenges we face may be great – terrorism, drugs, illiteracy, poverty – our teamwork and partnership will help us stay on the winning side.”

Members of the US House of Representatives Bobby Scott (D-Virginia), Co-chair of the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus, and Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam), focused their remarks on the contributions of Filipino Americans to the strengthening of the social fabric of the United States, and on the role of the Philippines in securing peace, stability and progress for the Asia-Pacific region.