Obama makes a toast at state dinner. US President Barack Obama offers a toast as he attends a State Dinner with President Benigno Aquino at Malacañang Palace in Manila, April 28, 2014. Obama said a new military pact signed with the Philippines on Monday granting a larger presence for US forces would bolster the Southeast Asian country’s maritime security, but was not aimed at countering China’s growing military might. REUTERS/Larry Downing
After an agreement that will increase the presence of US troops in the Philippines was signed just hours before his arrival in the country, United States President Barack Obama on Monday said his country had an “iron-clad” commitment to defend the Filipino people.
“You bring back that same strength and solidarity to our alliance. So let me say tonight, in behalf of the American people, we are honored and proud to call you an ally and a friend,” Obama said during a state dinner held at Rizal Hall in the Malacañang Palace, GMA News’ “24 Oras” reported.
“Through our treaty alliance, the United States has an iron clad commitment to defend you, your security and your independence,” Obama said, referring to the 1951 mutual defense treaty between the two nations.
On Monday morning, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City after eight rounds of talks that started in August 2013.
The EDCA, which falls within the scope of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), will give US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, the right to construct facilities, and pre-position equipment, aircraft and vessels.
The agreement, however, prohibits the US from establishing permanent bases in the Philippines as it would violate the Philippine Constitution.
During his speech at the state dinner, Obama also pointed out that because of the long years of friendship between the two nations, Americans and Filipinos share the same spirit or “kalooban” in so many ways.
“Our same mutual obsession with basketball, there’s our mutual admiration for Manny Pacquiao… There’s our shared pride in the millions of Filipino-Americans who contributed to our economy every single day,” Obama said.
He even mentioned Cristeta Comerford, a Filipino executive chef at the White House.
“Thanks to her, we in the White House enjoy the occasional lumpia and adobo,” Obama remarked.
Obama also gave honor to the legacies of the late former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., and former President Corazon Aquino, parents of President Benigno Aquino III, in restoring Philippine democracy.
“There’s no greater nobility than offering one’s life to the nation, and Mr. President, your father offered his life so that this nation might be free. Your mother and the citizens of this great nation took to the street and showed the world that true power lies in the people,” Obama said.
“And with the canonization of Pope John Paul II, we also honor the role that the Catholic church played in supporting the Filipino people and their desire for freedom.”
Obama also underscored the resilience of the Filipino people.
“We see the spirit of this nation in all that you’ve overcome – colonialism, occupation, invasion, dictatorship… and we saw that again after Yolanda. America grieved with you and stood with you, but you also inspired us with your resilience and your determination to care for those who have been affected,” he said.
The state dinner was attended by about 300 guests, “24 Oras” reported.
Seated with Obama and Aquino at the presidential table were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Goldberg and US National Security Advisor, Ambassador Susan Rice. — Elizabeth Marcelo/DVM, GMA News
