Swan song: Strengthening US-Philippines tiesBefore I arrived three and a half years ago, I spoke to every living previous US Ambassador to the Philippines and numerous others to prepare for my posting. In the Philippines, contacts become colleagues; colleagues become friends; and friends become family. The US-Philippines relationship as friends, partners and allies has never been stronger or more consequential. I am heartened to hear that a recent poll shows 82 percent of Filipinos trust the United States as their premier security partner. The United States introduced targeted maritime assistance programs, promoting freedom of navigation and countering coercion in the West Philippine Sea.

Source: Philippine Star January 18, 2026 13:11 UTC