President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday (Manila time) expressed hope that relations between the Philippines and United States (US) will be stronger in the near future.

In a speech during a meeting with the Filipino community in the New Jersey, Marcos said he was enthusiastic about building closer ties with the Philippines’ long-time ally.

“Our bilateral alliance with the United States is possibly as important policy as there is in the Philippines. Our relations with the United States remain strong and I believe we will make them stronger in the coming years,” he said.

Marcos said he was also looking forward to meeting US President Joe Biden and other world leaders on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“Pagkatapos po ng mga malalaking speech ay nagkikita-kita, mag-uusap-usap kami na bilateral, multilateral, kung ano pa mga iba’t ibang meeting (After the big speeches, we will have bilateral and multilateral discussions, and other meetings),” he said.

He said his administration personally requested a meeting with Biden

“Humingi kami ng panahon dito sa mga napunta rito para sa General Assembly napunta sila rito ay sabi ko pagkakataon na natin at hindi natin sila mapupuntahan sa kanilang bansa, dito na natin silang kakausapin (We requested for time with those attending the General assembly because this is the chance for us to talk with them we can’t visit their countries yet),” he said.

Marcos will meet several heads of state and key UN officials during the first day of the high-level General Debate on Sept. 20.

He will be the first leader of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to deliver a statement at this year’s high-level General Debate.

In his address to the UNGA, Marcos said he will share the Philippines’ “views on a number of global concerns” and the role the country will play as a responsible member of the family of nations in addressing these concerns.

He is also looking at tapping foreign investors and big businesses to invest in the Philippines, especially as the country recovers from the pandemic.

“Besides the meetings with the political leadership, it will also be for potential investors, other business leaders dahil gusto natin para paahunin nga natin, para pasiglahin natin ang ekonomiya na makapag-invest at ‘pag nag-invest mayroong bagong negosyo. Kapag may bagong negosyo, may trabaho (because we need to revive the economy through investment because with new investments, we have new businesses. If we have new businesses, we have new jobs),” he said. (PNA)