BBM: Phl-US ties won't change under Trump

President Marcos is optimistic of the unshakeable alliance between the Philippines and the US under the administration of president-elect Donald Trump.

- HELEN FLORES

"I don't think it will change," Marcos told reporters in an interview after gracing a welcome dinner Monday for the delegates of the Seatrade Cruise Asia at Okada Manila in Parañaque, when asked about the prospects for Philippines-US ties.

He said a change in US administration does not necessarily mean a shift in alliances.

"I will have to see if there is a major change, but I don't think so. I don't think so," he added.

Marcos earlier congratulated the US president-elect, saying he looked forward to working with Trump "on a wide range of issues that would yield mutual benefits for the two nations with deep ties, shared beliefs, a common vision, and a long history of working together." "I am hopeful that this unshakeable alliance, tested in war and peace, will be a force for good, blazing a path of prosperity and amity in the region and on both sides of the Pacific," the President added.

Trump recaptured the White House after defeating Kamala Harris in the recent presidential election.

In an interview at Malacañang on Monday, Finance Secretary) Ralph Recto said he hopes trade relations between Manila and Washington would continue to flourish.

"We hope we can improve that.

We are a national security ally of the United States. I'm sure they're well aware that our economic security, if our economy does better,, then we can be a more dependable ally," Recto said.