Courtesy Call with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr

Manila – Centerpiece of the US-Philippines Society’s January 30-31 board program in Manila was the courtesy call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. at the President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace, January 30, 2023. The President opened the meeting by welcoming Society Co-chairs John Negroponte and Manuel V. Pangilinan, along with members of our binational board. He then went straight to the point, saying “the U.S.-Philippines partnership is as important as it’s ever been,” adding, “that is why I am very happy to see that the US-Philippines Society is so active.” Consistent with the message he delivered to the Society in New York in September, President Marcos described the bilateral relationship as “extremely important to the Philippines, and I believe also to the United States, so thank you for this visit.”

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. welcomed US-Philippines Society led by Co-Chairs Amb John D. Negroponte, Manuel V. Pangilinan and President Amb John F. Maisto, Malacañang Palace, January 30, 2023. Photo by Presidential Communications Office.

Ambassador Negroponte presented the Society’s 2023 Carlos P. Romulo Award recognizing the critical role of Filipino nurses in combating Covid, often at great personal sacrifice. Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople accepted the award, witnessed by President Marcos, on behalf of the nursing community.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) witnessed the presentation of the 2023 Carlos P. Romulo Award to “the Filipino Nurse” which was accepted by Secretary Susan Ople (left) and presented by Amb John Negroponte, January 30, 2023.

WATCH VIDEO by RTVM