America’s strong support for its long-time ally, the Philippines, will remain strong and unchanged whether a Democrat or Republican president is elected to the White House, top Filipino and US envoys said Wednesday.

US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said she is “extremely confident” that Manila and Washington’s alliance will be “steadfast and iron-clad” whoever wins the the tight presidential race between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump.

“I am very confident of the future of US-Philippine relations,” Carlson said at the election watch party hosted by the US Embassy in Manila, adding the Philippines has “a very strong bipartisan support” in America.

The US elections are crucial to the Philippines because it can change the trajectory of Washington’s policy towards the Indo-Pacific region and the Philippines, which is locked in a fierce territorial disputes with an increasingly aggressive China in the resource-rich South China Sea.

Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said America’s continued presence in the Indo-Pacific region, is “crucial” in maintaining stability and upholding peace and security – a sentiment shared by many nations and Philippine allies, such as Japan, Australia, and Canada.

“It will be disastrous if they pull out completely, which I don”t think they will do, because the South China Sea is very important to them. Trillions of dollars pass through there which will affect their economy,” Romualdez said.

He said both Democrats and Republicans “have the same feeling that the Philippines is important for the US interest in the South China Sea and the Pacific region.”

Romualdez, who has built strong relationships with both Republicans and Democrats since he assumed as the country’s top diplomat to Washington in 2017 under the Trump administration, said the Philippines, being at the forefront of the sea disputes with China, is “prepared to be a good ally of the US” because the President of the United States serves as a “counterbalance” to China’s aggression.

“It’s important that the US remains engaged because all ASEAN countries feel the sane way, we are not the only ones,” he said.

“All our ASEAN neighbors and friends have the same feeling that the US must be present in the region because it is a counter to China.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last year approved the expansion of US military access to four more Philippine military sites mostly in the northern part of the country facing Taiwan under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), prompting strong opposition from China. Beijing said the presence of U.S. forces would “drag the Philippines into the abyss of geopolitical strife.”

Marcos defended his decision to allow greater US military access to the country, saying it is vital to the country’s territorial defense.

As the US begins its election count, the embassy held its traditional watch party, where guests from the Philippine government, media, US and foreign diplomats, watched partial results being streamed by American network CNN.

Carlson called the election a festival of American democratic process.

“As friends, partners, and allies, we hold each other accountable to live up to our highest democratic ideals, including – maybe especially – during elections,” Carlson said.

“Our systems of government, though far from perfect, strive to enshrine the rule of law and protect the equality and dignity of all people – one person, one vote at a time.  As Abraham Lincoln said, ‘Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.’

When political parties compete freely on a level playing field; when voters’ rights are respected; and when election outcomes are upheld with the peaceful transition of power, societies are more prosperous and secure.  And if governments fall short, voters can vote the other way the next time. That’s the power of democratic elections.”

Electoral College

As the events of the polls unfolded, interactive booths were set up at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati where guests learn about the US voting system.

The US president is decided through a system called the Electoral College. A candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to be declared the official winner of the presidential race.

The ballroom was decked in red, white and blue where guests watch the results coming in from various states on TV monitors while enjoying refreshments.

If Harris wins, she will be the first woman president to be elected in US history and the 47th President of the United States.

On the other hand, this will be Trump’s second term as president. Trump, who sought a second term in 2016, lost to Joe Biden. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News