Palace: Better RP-US relations seen in appointment of new envoy
11/22/2009 | 11:00 AM
Malacañang on Sunday said the appointment of a new US ambassador to the Philippines bodes a further strengthening of the country's relations with the United States.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said US President Barack Obama’s appointment of Harry Thomas Jr. showed the value Obama places on US-RP ties.
“Considering the very warm personal accord of (Obama and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo), and considering the incoming ambassador is a personal choice and nominee of President Obama, that could only mean one thing: this will augur well for better (Philippine)-American relations," Remonde said on government-run dzRB radio.
Last Friday, the US Office of the Press Secretary announced that Obama had named Thomas as new ambassador to the Philippines. However, no timetable has been set as to when he will assume his post.
Remonde said Obama’s high regard for Mrs. Arroyo was showed when Mrs. Arroyo became the first Asian leader he invited to the White House last July.
On the other hand, Remonde said the country is thankful to outgoing US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, who he described as “napakabait (very kind)."
“She’s one of the most popular ambassadors. Mami-miss natin siya sa kanyang pag-alis but that is beyond us (We will miss her but that is beyond us)," he said.
Earlier, Kenney said she needed to go back to the US because of her family. "I will hate to leave the Philippines but my family needs me back home and I need to be there for them," she said.
"It will be very hard to leave here. Fortunately, that won't happen for a few more months. But my family needs me at home so I can't stay away much longer," she added.
Kenney, who had served as US Ambassador since March 2006, has endeared herself to Filipinos by being accessible and widely seen at disaster sites and even war zones. She has been one of the most visible officials from Washington in Manila. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said US President Barack Obama’s appointment of Harry Thomas Jr. showed the value Obama places on US-RP ties.
“Considering the very warm personal accord of (Obama and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo), and considering the incoming ambassador is a personal choice and nominee of President Obama, that could only mean one thing: this will augur well for better (Philippine)-American relations," Remonde said on government-run dzRB radio.
Last Friday, the US Office of the Press Secretary announced that Obama had named Thomas as new ambassador to the Philippines. However, no timetable has been set as to when he will assume his post.
Remonde said Obama’s high regard for Mrs. Arroyo was showed when Mrs. Arroyo became the first Asian leader he invited to the White House last July.
On the other hand, Remonde said the country is thankful to outgoing US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, who he described as “napakabait (very kind)."
“She’s one of the most popular ambassadors. Mami-miss natin siya sa kanyang pag-alis but that is beyond us (We will miss her but that is beyond us)," he said.
Earlier, Kenney said she needed to go back to the US because of her family. "I will hate to leave the Philippines but my family needs me back home and I need to be there for them," she said.
"It will be very hard to leave here. Fortunately, that won't happen for a few more months. But my family needs me at home so I can't stay away much longer," she added.
Kenney, who had served as US Ambassador since March 2006, has endeared herself to Filipinos by being accessible and widely seen at disaster sites and even war zones. She has been one of the most visible officials from Washington in Manila. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV
