US-PHL ties redefined, boosted

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

AFTER stagnating in the previous administration, security and economic partnerships between the Philippines and the United States were “strengthened and redefined” following the bilateral meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and US President Joseph “Joe” Biden on Monday. The meeting comes at a crucial time as the US is trying to counter the growing influence of China in Asia.

Bilateral defense guidelines

MARCOS welcomed Biden’s ironclad commitment to help in defending the country amid the “complicated geopolitical situation” in the Pacific.

“It is only natural that—for the Philippines to look to its sole treaty partner in the world, to strengthen and to redefine the relationship that we have and the roles that we play in the face

See “US-PHL,” A2

By Andrea E. San Juan

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) said it is hoping to attract foreign direct investments (FDI) in areas of advanced manufacturing and electric vehicles, among others, as it pins its hopes on the United States to make the country an alternative location for US firms wishing to offshore their manufacturing activities.

“The Philippines could be a viable site for US-based companies from North America or those American offshore companies shifting out production from their existing locations to take advantage of the country’s growing domestic market, huge pool of world-class and work quality-oriented workers, and as a production and distribution hub in the region,” Peza Director General Tereso O. Panga told reporters in a Viber message on Tuesday.

See “Peza,” A2