Palace lauds Obama, vows cooperation

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang welcomed the second term of American President Barack Obama, expressing a renewal of relations with the United States.

“The Philippines looks forward to deepening the cooperation between the United States in Mr. Obama’s second term,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement. 

Upon the concession of Republican challenger Mitt Romney, President Benigno Aquino III sent a congratulatory letter to Obama, Lacierda added.

“The President also wrote that in their encounters, it has been easy for the presidents of both nations to understand each other given the common set of aspirations they have for their respective peoples — inclusive growth and renewed prosperity,” he said.

Aquino also reaffirmed that Obama’s new mandate means that Americans “trusted him to stay the course” and “move them forward,” Lacierda said, mentioning the US president’s campaign slogan “Forward!”

In a press briefing earlier on Wednesday, Lacierda mentioned that the Palace had been ready to work with either a Republican or a Democrat as they have been in contact with officials of both parties “somewhat regularly.”

The spokesperson also said that Aquino drafted two letters for each presidential candidate, ready to be sent once a victor is proclaimed.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, in a statement sent to The FREEMAN, said that he is fully confident that the warm and productive relations between the Philippines and the United States will continue, and matters of mutual interest will be pursued under the same atmosphere of trust and friendship that has characterized our relations for decades.

Phl senators welcome Obama re-election

Senators welcomed the re-election of Obama.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Ralph Recto, Lito Lapid and Panfilo Lacson expressed confidence that the US’ relationship with the Philippines will remain strong as Obama serves his second term.

Enrile said the victory of Obama nor Romney will not affect the relations between the two countries.

Recto also shared the view that “whoever wins, the US will only look after its own interests.”  Recto, former chairman of the Senate committee on ways and means, noted that an improvement in the US economy would also spell out improvements for the Philippine economy.

Recto pointed out the importance of US, which comprises five percent of the world population yet their wealth is pegged at 30 percent of the world. “That’s the reason why we (the world) are using the dollar (as the internationally accepted currency),” Recto said.

On the impact of Obama’s victory to the Filipino immigrants, Recto noted that the US is “an aging society that needs the infusion of young workers.”

“The workers would be able to pay taxes for the retirement benefits of the old people… whoever won, they will have to open up and allow more immigrants,” he added.

Lapid was also in a festive mood upon learning of Obama’s victory. “Congratulations,” he told reporters at the session hall.

Lapid said many Filipinos living in the US were in favor of Obama’s re-election because of his support for immigrants. He added that the number of Filipino-Americans running for local posts in the US may have also helped Obama in attaining victory.

For his part, Lacson agreed that the Democrats are kinder to immigrants. “So that’s why our fellow countrymen in America are rejoicing,” Lacson said.

Lacson admitted he was rooting for Romney, who is a Republican, because he knows that Republicans are more concerned on the implementation of security measures in the US and the entire world.

“Ang Republican kasi, mas ano sila sa security ng mga American at ng world, mas proactive ang Republicans. If you recall, George Bush. Ang Democrat, concentration ang economy ng America. Pag economy ng America ang focus that will be most likely to the detriment ng ibang bansa tulad ng Pilipinas,” Lacson said.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. led congressmen in congratulating Obama for his reelection saying Obama’s victory was “good for us.”

Mock polls in Cebu

Here in Cebu City, Brian Goldbeck, U.S. Embassy deputy chief of mission announced at SM City Cebu where over a thousand Cebuanos witnessed the live U.S. election coverage over CNN, that the American people is giving Obama another four years in office.

The US Embassy conducted this mock election in selected parts of the country to bring the US election experience here.

Majority of Cebuanos who visited the event voted for Obama through on-line voting. It was not provided, however, as to how many voted for Obama and Romney.

“This is a great privilege that we share with the Philippines, a privilege that many people in the world do not have-the right to freely choose our leaders,” said Goldbeck in his speech.

Goldbeck said that the right to vote is not only a privilege but an obligation for every responsible citizen.

“A vote is precious thing. Sometimes we don’t always appreciate how precious. But it is the lifeblood of democracy,” he added.

Goldbeck further said that Obama’s win would mean stronger ties between the two countries.  — Philippine STAR News Service with Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP