US President Joe Biden congratulated former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, stating Washington will work very closely with his government to maintain America’s strong partnership with the Philippines, according to Manila’s top envoy to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez said.

Romualdez stated that Biden contacted Marcos at 9 a.m. while on board Air Force One from Chicago.

“It was a very good conversation,” he stated.

“Biden reassured Marcos Jr. that we, the US, would like to work with him and continue our relations,” he added.

The White House verified the call between Biden and Marcos in a separate statement.

The White House statement stated that “President Biden underscored that he looks forward to working with the President-elect to continue strengthening the U.S.-Philippine Alliance, while expanding bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, including the fight against COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, promoting broad-based economic growth, and respect for human rights.” 

Biden and Marcos also discussed enhancing connections in trade and diplomacy, as well as their similar interests in democracy, self-determination, and economic recovery.

According to Romualdez, Biden told Marcos that the US will continue to help the Philippines’ post-pandemic recovery efforts.

“He said we will work together amid pandemic and we will continue to value our relationship and continue to strengthen our democracy,” Romualdez stated.

In response, Marcos thanked Biden, emphasizing that he and the Filipino people value the country’s connections with the United States.

Romualdez stated that Marcos also asked Biden to his inauguration on June 30.

Marcos said in a statement that the invitation was intended to “further fortify” the two nations’ ties.

“Biden said thank you and of course we don’t know if he would attend, but most likely they will send a delegation,” Romualdez stated.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also congratulated President-elect Marcos, adding, “We look forward to working with President-elect Marcos to strengthen the enduring alliance between the United States and the Philippines.”

In response, Marcos’ spokesperson, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, stated that the Marcos government will have “improved ties” with the United States.

Rodriguez told ANC that “What I can tell you, you can expect and look forward to a better relationship with our long-time partner and ally in the United States and the foreign policy of President-elect Bongbong, it will be inclusive.”

According to unofficial election results earned by the church-backed PPCRV and permitted media outlets, Marcos, 64, son and namesake of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was deposed in a people power revolt in 1986, appears to have succeeded the presidential elections by a landslide margin over his closest challenger, Vice President Leni Robredo, and eight other candidates.