22 January 2014 - US Senator Marco Rubio met with President Benigno S. Aquino III, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario and Secretary of Defense Voltaire Gazmin today, underscoring the bilateral relations of the Philippines and the United States (US). This is the Senator’s first official trip to Asia, which also includes visits to Japan and South Korea.
Senator Rubio discussed with the President and the Foreign Affairs Secretary matters pertaining to the further strengthening of political and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the US.
“We have a unique opportunity to reinvigorate the bilateral relationship of the Philippines and the United States,” Senator Rubio noted.
“The Philippines-US alliance should not just be about mutual defense but also economic partnerships,” he added.
There was also discussion on global and regional issues. According to Senator Rubio, “The US rebound to Asia has to be real and backed with concrete measures.”
The Senator emphasized that the South China Sea must remain open to navigation and commerce for regional and global economic growth. He also stressed the US’ call for peace and stability in the region.
Senator Rubio also visited Tacloban and expressed his admiration for the resilience of the Filipino people amidst the devastation. Secretary Del Rosario thanked the US Senator for the generous and immediate support of the United States government in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.
Senator Rubio and Secretary Del Rosario discussed how economic relations could be reinforced and highlighted the importance of trade missions and the expansion of key industries. Senator Rubio expressed optimism that the Philippines will be part of the Trans Pacific Partnership in the future. He also emphasized the importance of people-to-people ties given the 123,000 Filipinos in his home state of Florida.
Senator Rubio is a junior United States Senator from Florida. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008 and served as Speaker of the House from 2006 to 2008. He was elected to the US Senate in 2010. He is a ranking member of the Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. END