August 29, 2025
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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday received key members of the United States Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) in a courtesy call in Malacañan Palace on Thursday.
The U.S. congressional delegation was led by the Chairman of SASC, U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker (Republican- Mississippi), and Senator Deb Fischer (Republican- Nebraska). The delegation was accompanied by Ambassador MaryKay Carlson.
President Marcos thanked the U.S. senators, who are in Manila from August 27 to 29, for the visit to discuss how to further strengthen the partnership between the Philippines and the United States, taking note of the longstanding relationship between both countries.
“We, of course, are greatly appreciative of all the support the United States has given us in the face of all the challenges that we, in the Philippines, are facing. Including the continued support that you have given us with regard to the modernization of our Armed Forces as part of our response to those challenges that we are facing,” President Marcos said.
“We hope to continue working with you in an even greater extent,” added the President.
Chairman Wicker also thanked the President for receiving them.
“We appreciate the support that the Philippines have given to the United States. Our relationship is one of the most important and I would say one of the most growing in terms of the closeness that we have,” the U.S. senator said.
Senator Fischer added, “We see the Philippines not just as good friends but also as an equal and strong partner.”
Among those who joined the President during the courtesy call were Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez, and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.
The SASC oversees the review of U.S. defense policy and the deliberation of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes the funding of the U.S. defense budget.
The United States is the Philippines’ only defense treaty ally. Defense and security engagement remains a key pillar of Philippine-U.S. bilateral relations and is carried out within the framework of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), among other bilateral agreements. | PND