MANILA -- President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday said the long-standing ties between the Philippines and the United States remain robust as he vowed to make them even stronger.

“Our bilateral alliance with the United States is possibly as important policy as there is in the Philippines. Our relations with the United States remain strong, and I believe we will make them stronger in the coming years,” Marcos said in a speech in New Jersey on Sunday.

The chief executive, who met with members of the Filipino community to pay tribute to their sacrifices and contributions, said he hopes to meet US President Joe Biden and other world leaders on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Marcos said his team requested a meeting with Biden during the event to make sure they could discuss the side.

“Kaya’t ‘yun ay napakaimportante rin kaya’t ginawa namin na nakapagplano kami at humingi kami ng panahon dito sa mga napunta rito para sa General Assembly napunta sila rito ay sabi ko pagkakataon na natin at hindi natin sila mapupuntahan sa kanilang bansa, dito na natin silang kakausapin,” Marcos said.

Marcos will meet several heads of state and key UN officials during the first day of the high-level General Debate on September 20.

“So aside from President Biden, I think we will be able to meet with some other heads of state and, as I said, some heads of big companies,” added Marcos.

In his address to the General Assembly, the President is expected to outline the country’s expectations of the United Nations and its “contributions to strengthening the international system.”

Marcos will be the first leader of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to deliver a statement at this year’s high-level General Debate.

He is also looking at tapping foreign investors and big businesses to invest in the Philippines, especially as the country recovers from the pandemic.

“So besides the meetings with the political leadership, it will also be for potential investors, other business leaders dahil gusto natin para paahunin nga natin, para pasiglahin natin ang ekonomiya na makapag-invest at ‘pag nag-invest mayroong bagong negosyo. Kapag may bagong negosyo, may trabaho,” said Marcos. (PND)