Washington, D.C.---Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement today congratulating Benigno Aquino II as the next president of the Republic of the Philippines:
“I congratulate President Aquino on his election as the next president of the Republic of the Philippines. My colleagues and I look forward to working closely with the new government to advance our common interests. We hope to welcome President-elect Aquino to the United States as soon as possible.
“In 1986, President Reagan asked members of Congress, including myself and Senator Lugar, to observe the infamous “snap” elections by strongman Ferdinand Marcos that ultimately resulted in Corazon Aquino’s rise to the presidency atop the people power revolution. Now, 24 years later, another Aquino is poised to lead the Philippines.
“President-elect Aquino has vowed to strengthen democracy in the Philippines by fighting corruption, reducing poverty, tackling internal security threats, and ending politically-motivated violence. The United States will stand with him in his efforts.”
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