Hillary Clinton sends early Independence Day greetings to RP

US State Secretary Hillary Clinton congratulated Filipinos on Friday on the 112th anniversary of their country's independence and praised last month's election as a testament to the strength of Philippine democracy. Filipino revolutionaries declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. On Wednesday, Congress proclaimed opposition Sen. Benigno Aquino III as the country's 15th president, formalizing the landslide win of the son of revered democracy icons — Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino — in the country's first national automated elections. "This is a momentous time for your country, and the United States congratulates you on your successful election last month — a testament to the strength of your democracy and a positive example for the world," she said in a statement. Clinton said Americans and Filipinos are deeply connected by friendship, family, culture and the contributions of 4 million Americans of Filipino ancestry living in the US and 150,000 Americans in the Philippines. The two nations' long history of cooperation — fighting side by side during World War II — continues today in promoting peace and development, combatting extremism and helping victims of natural disasters, she added. — AP