Malacañan Palace
21 February 2014

Months before United States President Barack Obama’s official visit to the country, President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed the new bipartisan U.S. Congressional Delegation (CODEL) headed by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Representative Ed Royce.

This is Representative Royce’s second visit to the country and his group will re-evaluate assistance efforts in areas ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda. They are also expected to discuss with the President the Framework Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation and Rotational Presence, a policy intended to increase the number of U.S. forces in the country so as to give support in the development of a minimum credible defense posture through various combined activities.

Also high on the agenda is the U.S. administration’s policies in Asia, the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks and the increasing tension in territorial disputes.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg were present during the call.

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