Oriental Ballroom, Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Washington, D.C., USA
7 June 2012

President Benigno S. Aquino III graced the launching of the US-Philippine Society held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Seen as a fitting representation to something that is generally new, President Aquino was guest of honor to the launching of the US-Philippine Society for his total commitment  to good governance and anti-corruption campaign.

“I emphasized  the enduring basis of our country’s friendship: democracy, and shared values based on equality and mutual respect. No other country in my part of the world has the same shared history with America or is anchored in the same democratic culture as the Philippines,” he said in his speech.

He also cited the seven positive credit ratings actions from known credit ratings agencies such as Standard & Poor’s, Fitch, and the Japan Credit Ratings Agency — the latest being a credit outlook upgrade from Moody’s announced just last week.

During the occasion, the President also confered to US Senator Richard Lugar the Order of Lakandula with the Rank of Supremo for his principled and consistent support to freedom, democracy, the peace process, and the strengthening of Philippine defense capabilities.

The US-Philippines Society was founded last May through the collective interest of both Filipinos and Americans in an effort to raise the profile of the Philippines in the United States. It is a nonprofit and nongovernmental organization that is being sustained by contributions coming from both Filipino and American entities, individuals, and businesses.

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