President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. welcomed US-Philippines Society led by Co-Chairs Amb John D. Negroponte, Manuel V. Pangilinan and President Amb John F. Maisto, Malacañang Palace, January 30, 2023. Photo by Presidential Communications Office.

Centerpiece of the US-Philippines Society’s January 30-31 board program in Manila was the courtesy call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. The President opened the meeting by welcoming Society Co-chairs John Negroponte and Manuel V. Pangilinan, along with members of our binational board. He then went straight to the point, saying “the U.S.-Philippines partnership is as important as it’s ever been,” adding, “that is why I am very happy to see that the US-Philippines Society is so active.” Consistent with the message he delivered to the Society in New York in September, President Marcos described the bilateral relationship as “extremely important to the Philippines, and I believe also to the United States, so thank you for this visit.”

Ambassador Negroponte presented the Society’s 2023 Carlos P. Romulo Award recognizing the critical role of Filipino nurses in combating Covid, often at great personal sacrifice. Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople accepted the award, witnessed by President Marcos, on behalf of the nursing community.

The Malacañang meeting followed a policy discussion on January 30, hosted by Ambassador MaryKay Carlson at the American Embassy Residence, where directors engaged in a review of the bilateral relationship. Amb Carlson was joined by Philippine Ambassador Jose M. Romualdez and Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary JV Chan-Gonzaga in presenting highlights from 2022 and a look ahead at key areas of cooperation in the new year. White House Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs, Dr. Kurt Campbell joined the session by live video link with a comprehensive and candid presentation focusing on how U.S.-PH relations fit with Washington’s overall regional policy objectives.

A Monday January 30 working lunch featuring presentations by Society directors Ambassador Frank Wisner and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala provided board members and guests from the Makati Business Club, AmCham Philippines, IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines, PH Economic Zone Authority, and the Philippine Council for Foreign Relations, with a broad strategic outlook on the sensitive U.S.-China relationship and a clear perspective from the Philippine private sector. Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba briefed on the administration’s trade strategies, identifying areas ripe for accelerating trade and investment.

The afternoon session concluded with an informative presentation from Aileen Zosa, President of the Bases Conversion Development Authority with an update on the impressive “swords to plowshares” transformation of former military facilities into thriving business locations.

On Tuesday, January 31, Directors engaged in a breakfast panel discussion with nine Filipina Women Entrepreneurs and Civic Leaders, who described their sometimes challenging but ultimately successful personal journeys in business and community affairs. Panelists acknowledged the leadership role of Society Director Doris Ho in opening the way for greater opportunities. USPHS member Maan Hontiveros served as the invaluable catalyst for the women’s program.

An Economic and Business Forum that followed provided directors with an overview of the Marcos administration’s economic policies. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno was joined by Chief Economic Counselor Undersecretary Zeno Abenoja and NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon (and a video briefing from NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan) in a broad discussion focusing on prospects for sustained growth in 2023.

The January 31 Legislative Lunch featured a presentation by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, along with Representatives Stella Quimbo and Teoderico Haresco, Jr and Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel. The Speaker described how this Congress is positioned to support the administration’s foreign and economic policy agenda. Sen Pimentel, one of just two opposition members of the Philippine Senate, noted the importance of airing diverse views in policy debates to ensure better outcomes for the country.

Atty Mike Toledo moderated a press conference where Ambassadors John Negroponte, Jose Manuel Romualdez and John Maisto fielded questions from the media covering highlights of the board program and other current issues. The exchange with the press generated reporting on GSP, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the visit of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin among other topics.

The board program included three sessions in Manila on the Bangsamoro autonomy process in the South. Representatives from the BARMM, including Deputy Speaker Abdulkarim Misuari, together with University Research Company (URC) President Earl Gast and Brian Harding of the U.S. Institute of Peace provided insights into the overall autonomy process, a history of the conflict and efforts at conflict-resolution, and new initiatives to support peace, improved governance, and community health. The Society acknowledges the supportive role of Directors Henry Howard and Earl Gast in bringing a timely focus on a perennial problem area with substantial stakes for the Philippines and U.S. interests in the region.

Eight members of the delegation visited Cotabato City on February 1 for discussions with BARMM Ministers of Health and Education, meetings with young Muslim exchange students and Howard Scholars, and presentations by USAID Implementing Partner URC, which carries out health projects in the region. A follow-up session with the leadership of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity provided Society members, led by Amb John Maisto, to exchange views on the way forward and to support ongoing USIP initiatives. USPH Society Director Ambassador Thomas Hubbard provided a valuable historical perspective on the autonomous process drawing from his personal experience as ambassador to the Philippines.

Co-chair Manuel V. Pangilinan hosted a board meeting on January 31 that reviewed 2022 programs and plans for the year ahead. Directors welcomed new members from SBA Communications, the University Research Company, and Leuterio-Thomas, LLC (Architects and Engineers), and passed a resolution recognizing the crucial role of “The Filipino Nurse” on the frontlines of community health during the Covid pandemic, and a University of Maryland exchange initiative on agriculture with U.P. Los Baños. The Society also welcomed former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr. as the new representative on the USPHS Board replacing DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

Hats off to the many people who came together to make the Society’s board program a success, including Co-chairs Manuel V. Pangilinan and John D. Negroponte; Gerardo Borromeo who hosted out-of-towners at his home on opening day; Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez who brought directors together with top government and private sector leaders, and who facilitated meetings with administration and legislative leaders; Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and the U.S. Embassy country team; Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan Gonzaga for his presentation and behind the scenes support to the Society; Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Ambassador Frank Wisner for their presentations; Henry Howard on Mindanao; Dr. Kurt Campbell; Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo; Maan Hontiveros; Atty. Mike Toledo; Aleem Guiapal; Chris Decker; Lucille Ferraren who leads the Society staff, Legal Counselor Leo Canseco, and so many others who continue to provide the support needed for the USPHS to carry out its mission effectively.

Thank you!