Toast Remarks
HON. MA. THERESA P. LAZARO
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
249th Anniversary of U.S. Independence
3 July 2025, Shangri-La The Fort
H.E. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson,
H.E. Archbishop Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening.
I extend my warmest congratulations to the United States and the American people, as we commemorate the 249th anniversary of U.S. independence.
Today, we also celebrate the enduring treaty alliance of the Philippines and the U.S., underscoring the importance of sustaining our robust and dynamic engagement across all areas of cooperation.
The last three years have opened new avenues for deeper and strategic collaboration, not only in the political, security and defense sectors, but also in trade, investments and development. For our alliance to be strong politically, it must also be strong economically, underpinned by our shared commitment to the peace, prosperity and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
We are eager to sustain the momentum in our bilateral relations. This year alone, less than six months since President Trump’s inauguration, the Philippine and U.S. Secretaries for Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade have met in person. Our Secretaries for Health, Energy, Information and Communications Technology, and Transportation have made official trips to the United States to pursue further cooperation. Our Balikatan exercise and our maritime cooperative activities continue to see increased participation from partner nations and observers.
We have been engaging in several bilateral dialogues, strengthening cooperation in the maritime domain, science and technology, democracy, trade and investment, cyber-digital policy, energy, aviation and outer space. We continue to welcome business missions from the U.S., in recognition of the promising economic opportunities in the Philippines as a result of our game-changing policy reforms and consistent high growth.
The Luzon Economic Corridor, as mentioned by the Ambassador, initiated by the historic trilateral partnership between the Philippines, U.S. and Japan, is a success story in how a big, beautiful deal is poised to bring mutually-beneficial economic opportunities and prosperity across the region. Just last week, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and the Philippines’ Department of Transportation (DOTr), announced technical assistance funding for the construction of the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Railway, which is designed to link three major ports in Luzon and decongest traffic at the Port of Manila.
These flurry of activities are a testament to the strength and depth of our relations. Sustaining this momentum will not only reinforce the strength of our alliance and the maturity of our institutional linkages, but also ensure that our partnership remains relevant and responsive to current and emerging challenges.
We also thank the United States for its active engagement with ASEAN across all three Community pillars, as a Comprehensive Strategic Partner. As PH assumes the chairship of ASEAN next year, we look forward to further deepening ASEAN’s engagement with the U.S. on maritime cooperation, transnational crime, counter-terrorism, digital economy, MSME development, and youth and people-to-people exchanges.
Finally, we take this opportunity to recognize the valuable contribution of the four million-strong Filipino-American community to the U.S. economy and society, enhancing our people-to-people ties, and ensuring our alliance remains vibrant and dynamic.
Again, we greet the U.S. on its important anniversary celebration. Thank you very much! Mabuhay tayong lahat!
END