MANILA (Office of the American Samoa Congressional Delegate) — U.S. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata was part of the first U.S. congressional delegation to meet with recently inaugurated President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the Philippines.
The group of five members of Congress, led by Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass. and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations East Asia, Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Subcommittee, included Congresswoman Amata Coleman Radewagen, R-American Samoa, Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va. and Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Calif., concluded their Asian travel in the Philippines.
“It was a pleasure to be a part of the first U.S. congressional delegation to meet with President Marcos in the Philippines, affirming our nations’ shared interests, and conveying the best wishes of American Samoa’s Filipino community,” said Aumua Amata. “It is especially meaningful to take part in multiple efforts to stress US. support for a free press, human rights, and the need to reject politically motivated imprisonment, as a new commitment to these principles would strengthen the U.S.-Philippines alliance as our nations work together for security in the region.”
During their visit, the delegation met with the U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Heather Variava and other U.S. Embassy personnel to discuss United States-Philippines relations. The group also met with U.S. Director of the Asian Development Bank Chantale Wong to discuss the bank’s work in the region.
On Thursday, the delegation became the first U.S. Congressional delegation to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. since assuming office June 30 of this year. During this meeting, the delegation reaffirmed the importance of the relationship between the two countries, and discussed regional security challenges. They discussed ways to support the Philippines efforts to turn to more renewable energy. The delegation raised concerns regarding the human rights record under the previous government of the Philippines and expressed their hope that President Marcos would set a new tone for the importance of human rights and freedom of the press.
Later, the congressional delegation met with participants in the “Aling Tindera” network, which receives funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Clean Cities, Blue Ocean initiative. This effort provides a funding stream for local women-owned stores that serve as collection points for post-consumer plastic waste.
The delegation likewise met with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo and Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla. During these meetings, the delegation discussed cooperation on renewable energy, U.S. support for human rights, press freedom, and LGBTQIA+ rights, and regional security issues, including the South China Sea.
On Friday, the delegation concluded their travel by visiting with former Sen. Leila de Lima, who remains imprisoned on politically motivated charges.
The United States and the Philippines have historical ties, and Aumua Amata was pleased to support the Congressional Gold Medal in 2017 for Filipino Veterans of World War II, as the U.S. officially honored these important contributions to the cause of freedom.
At the Malacañang presidential palace in Manila on Thursday, U.S. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata speaks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as U.S. Sen. Markey looks on.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., 3rd left poses for a photo with the visiting U.S. lawmakers at the Malacañang presidential palace in Manila on Thursday.
