Remarks At A Luncheon Hosted by President Benigno Aquino
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Presidential Palace
Manila, Philippines
November 16, 2011
PRESIDENT AQUINO:
Today we confer upon the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Order
of Lakandula, one of the highest honors that can be (inaudible). For
deepening and broadening the engagement between United States and the
Philippines (inaudible). One of cornerstones our engagement is the
Mutual Defense Treaty between our two countries. Today we celebrate the
60th anniversary (inaudible).
Let me also take this
occasion to launch our new Partnership for Growth (inaudible). The
Partnership for Growth is a new framework for strengthening our economic
engagement to promote and support broad base economic growth. These are
(inaudible) the relationships between our two countries. Your visit
shows us that alliance between the United States and Philippines
(inaudible) that this bond (inaudible). Our countries enjoy a friendship
forged by shared history, goodwill and (inaudible). The Pacific may
separate our countries, but the words and deeds of the past provide us
with a bridge that is able to reach across the vast ocean.
With
this, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to propose a toast to Secretary
Hillary Clinton may (inaudible) stronger relationship (inaudible)
United States (inaudible) cooperation (inaudible) mutual benefit and the
sincere desire to work for our people (inaudible) American (inaudible)
between our two countries as we work to institute lasting and inclusive
progress in our two nations (inaudible) as we say in the Philippines
(inaudible).
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you very much, Mr. President, for that warm welcome. We are so honored to be here for many reasons. Yes, it is the 60th
anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty that has demonstrated for all
to see the strong bonds of solidarity and partnership between our two
nations. Yes, it is the 50th anniversary of USAID and the
Peace Corps. Both organizations have been partners with Filipino people
for those decades. Yes, we did have the opportunity today to renew our
bonds in a very tangible manner, first on the deck of the USS Fitzgerald
with the signing of the Manila Declaration, and just now with the
signing of the Partnership for Growth. Because this relationship is
about the future. It certainly honors the past and all that we have done
together, but it looks forward and it is about the strong ties between
our peoples, because we know that governments and public officials,
political leaders exist to support the better lives and futures of the
people they serve. And you, Mr. President, and your family have
exemplified that principle.
So it is for all of the reasons of the
ties, of partnerships, solidarity, cooperation, familial affection
between us, that I propose a toast: To the president and to all who
serve with him, on behalf of a better future for the children and the
next generation, to the bonds between our two countries, and
particularly the strong personal relationships that go beyond
governments, go beyond treaties and declarations, between the people of
the United States and the people of the Philippines, may God bless our
common endeavors.
