Marcos returns with $21-B investment pledges, reaffirms PH-US ties

By Darryl John Esguerra

MANILA--President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. returned to the country on Wednesday night with over USD21 billion in investment pledges and renewed strategic commitments from the United States following a high-level three-day official visit to Washington, D.C.

The plane carrying Marcos and his delegation landed in Manila around 10:07 p.m., according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

Marcos, in his arrival message, said the visit, held at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, reaffirmed the "breadth and depth" of the Philippines-US alliance across security, economic, and geopolitical cooperation.

"We reaffirmed our mutual commitment to further strengthening our longstanding alliance and growing our economies for the benefit of the people and in pursuit of our national interest," he said.

In his meetings with Trump, Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Marcos underscored the alliances role in upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea and broader Indo-Pacific, amid continued assertiveness by China.

"We reaffirmed our ironclad commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty," Marcos said, citing discussions on cybersecurity, infrastructure resilience, and energy security.

"I thank the United States for its consistent support for the preservation of regional peace and stability and for upholding the rule of law in the South China Sea."

The US pledged USD15 million in new support for private sector development under the Luzon Economic Corridor, and USD48 million in additional foreign assistance.

Marcos also met with top executives in semiconductors, healthcare, and infrastructure, bringing home pledges worth over USD21 billioninvestments he said could generate thousands of jobs for Filipinos and help build economic security and resilience.

The President emphasized fair and reciprocal trade as a cornerstone of future ties.

"We remain positive about the future of PH-US trade, including investment relations, especially in the context of economic security and fair, balanced, reciprocal trade," he said.

Marcos concluded his visit by extending an invitation to Trump to attend next years ASEAN Summit in Manila, which will coincide with the 80th anniversary of PH-US diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty. (PNA)

(2025/07/25-11:16)

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