I am delighted to be here.

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, I would like to congratulate you all on the first anniversary of the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus in the US House of Representatives.

To underscore the significance of this event, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has sent a special message to all of you here this evening, which Ambassador del Rosario has just read.

The Philippine Caucus is a milestone of the Philippine-American partnership. I am honored to be here to recognize those whose vision and leadership led to its formation.

I wish to thank the Co-Chairs of the Caucus, the Hon. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and the Hon. Bob Filner (D-CA).

Allow me to express my appreciation to the other Philippine Caucus co-founders, the Hon. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), the Hon. Duke "Randy" Cunningham (R-CA), the Hon. Lane Evans (D-IL), the Hon. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), the Hon. Bobby Scott (D-VA), and the Hon. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS).

Since the launching of the Caucus over a year ago, Philippine-American relations have deepened significantly. Nowhere is this more in evidence than in the reciprocal State Visits last year of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and President George W. Bush, which took place within less than six months of each other.

The Philippines and the United States are democratic allies and partners in the war on terrorism, and the Caucus is a symbol of our abiding partnership. To be effective in this struggle, we need the backing of our people and of our elected representatives, which underscores the importance of the Caucus.

I thank all our friends in the US Congress, particularly the men and women behind the Philippine Caucus, for supporting closer cooperation in development, defense and the peace process in the Southern Philippines. Let me underscore our appreciation for your initiative to offer $ 30 million in Economic Support Funds to bolster our peace process. In doing so, you have recognized the Philippine role as a steadfast ally in the global war on terror.

Your understanding has been invaluable. Your support is encouraging development that helps people in the Philippines. Our cooperation programs are diverse and effective. They cover areas of poverty alleviation, law enforcement, good governance, judicial reform, health and child survival.

Equally important was your recent enactment into law of two key bills, H.R 2297 and S. 1156, which have expanded benefits for Filipino veterans in the United States.

We must honor our valiant veterans, who fought for our common defense in World War II. They deserve recognition and justice. The Philippines and the Filipino-American community continue the quest for full equity for the Filipino Veterans.

I especially want to thank the members of the Caucus for being responsive to the Filipino-American community. Filipino-Americans, now estimated to number more than two-and-a-half million, form a dynamic human component of the Philippine-American partnership. Let us mobilize them for our partnership.

The US-Philippines Friendship Caucus is a motive force that can propel our relations forward. I have every confidence in the strength of our partnership, because it is anchored on shared values, founded on common interests, and inspired by a warm and long-lasting friendship.

With great optimism, I am certain that the Caucus will forge ahead in the years to come and I look forward to our celebration of many more anniversaries.

In closing, I also wish to invite each and every one of you to visit the Philippines. Your visit will further deepen our friendship.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the evening.