'RP can learn from US polls'

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang said yesterday that the Philippines can learn from the US presidential elections for its conduct of successful national polls in 2010.

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio also said that just like the Americans, Filipinos are hopeful the elections could help stop the decline of the US economy that is being felt around the world.

“On a non-partisan note, we take special interest in the US elections in terms of the lessons we can derive from it to ensure the successful holding of our own national elections in 2010,” Claudio said in a statement.

“The last US electoral campaign should inspire us to better discern the worthiness of our own candidates on the basis of their espousal of issues of true consequence to the stability of our country as well as the well-being of our people,” he said.

He said the US presidential polls should also serve as a vital guide for the country in effectively automating the 2010 electoral process to ensure clean, honest and credible elections.

He noted that Philippine-US relations are very much intertwined and will remain strong whether it be Democrat Barack Obama or Republican John McCain who wins.

He said no election for head of state in history “has probably generated as much interest and excitement worldwide as today’s presidential polls in the US.”

“Because the health of America’s economy and the soundness of its foreign policy inexorably affect the rest of the world, the Philippines, like many other countries, shares the American people’s sense of anticipation and hope in finding the solutions to their economic problems through this elections,” Claudio said.

“Regardless of the election result, I believe the strategic importance of the Philippines in America’s geopolitics as well as the historical significance of our two countries’ friendship will remain constant and will not be lost to the next US administration,” he said.