The US-Philippines Society paid a courtesy call on President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, February 20 at Malacañan Palace.
The Chief Executive expressed gratitude to the organization for finding time to visit him.
“Let me say that I am very happy sir that you have found time to visit me. We’re in constant touch with the Ambassador and also to see good friends, nice faces, friendly ones,” the President said during the meeting.
The US-Philippines Society is a non-profit, non-partisan, and independent organization organized to broaden and expand interaction and understanding through basic research and applied research in the areas of security, trade, investments, tourism, the environment, history, education and culture between the United States and the Philippines, which would benefit the American public and the people of the Philippines, the organization said in its website.
Its mission is to build on the rich and long-standing historical ties between the United States and the Philippines and to bring the unique relationship to the 21st century, it added.
US-Philippines Society President John F. Maisto, in a message posted on their website, said the Society remains dedicated to promoting sound business and investment ties, strengthening the strategic relationship, encouraging improved understanding of Philippine culture and innovation, and preserving knowledge of a shared history linking the Philippines and America.
During the meeting, President Duterte was accompanied by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.
Also present were Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, former Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr., and businessman Manuel Pangilinan.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, US-Philippines Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson, Ambassador John Negroponte, and Ambassador Thomas Hubbard were also present. PND
