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PHILIPPINE EMBASSY NEWS RELEASE
08/DEC/06
AMBASSADOR GAA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO BUSH; BUSH LAUDS RP AS “A
SHINING EXAMPLE FOR DEMOCRACY IN THE REGION”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Philippine Ambassador to the United States H.E. Willy C. Gaa presented his
credentials this afternoon to President George W. Bush at the White House and relayed President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s “best wishes” to the American president.
In response, President Bush said that he considers President Arroyo a “close friend” and lauded the
Philippines as “a shining example for democracy in the region.” He also recalled that his State Visit to
the Philippines in October 2003 was “one of the best times” he had in his foreign travels.
In his remarks, Ambassador Gaa said that “a profound and powerful symbol not only of our historic ties
but also of our shared love of freedom, are the many Filipino veterans of World War II” who “fought
bravely, together with American soldiers, in the fields of battle, against great odds, to emerge victorious
against tyranny.” He expressed “hope, that together, we can honor their great sacrifice and bring to
them what so justly deserve.”
President Bush noted Philippine-US alliance during the Second World War, the Korean war, the
Vietnam war, and the global war on terror and told Ambassador Gaa that “both (our) countries can be
very proud of our troops’ ongoing joint effort to defeat the Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah on
the island of Jolo.” He added that “the United States is committed to fostering a climate of peace in
Mindanao, and (that it) stand(s) ready to provide quick-disbursing assistance once an agreement is
signed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “
President Bush stressed that “on the international stage, (we) look to the Philippines as a leader in the
Association of South East Asian Nations, and appreciate your strong stand on important issues such
as Burma and North Korea.” Describing the Philippines as “East Asia’s oldest democracy, President
Bush said that it “has an important role in speaking out for the rights of those who do not yet enjoy the
blessings of liberty.”
Stressing that RP-US relationship is “not limited to security matters, alone,” President Bush cited the
“dynamic exchange of people and business between the Philippines and the United States that occurs
everyday.” He noted that the US is the largest foreign investors in the Philippines and its largest trading
partner.
President Bush likewise mentioned the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s approval last year of the
Philippines as a Threshold Country under the Millennium Challenge Account Program. For this reason,
the Philippines will receive over $ 20 million to help tackle corruption and improve tax collection and
administration.
President Bush commented that “Filipinos are known the world over for their extraordinary industry and
graciousness, and the two and a half million Filipino-born residents of the United States are no
exception.”
Extending his “sincere congratulations” to Ambassador Gaa on his appointment, President said that
“on behalf of the American people, I wish you the best of success in your tour of service here in the
United States.”
Ambassador Gaa told President Bush that during his tenure, he “will work to strengthen, broaden, and
deepen these existing ties between the Philippines and the United States, relations which are built on
mutual respect and our common values and pursuit of political and economic freedom.”
Ambassador Gaa was joined by his wife Erlinda and son Wendell during his presentation of
credentials. (END)
08/DEC/06
AMBASSADOR GAA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO BUSH; BUSH LAUDS RP AS “A
SHINING EXAMPLE FOR DEMOCRACY IN THE REGION”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Philippine Ambassador to the United States H.E. Willy C. Gaa presented his
credentials this afternoon to President George W. Bush at the White House and relayed President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s “best wishes” to the American president.
In response, President Bush said that he considers President Arroyo a “close friend” and lauded the
Philippines as “a shining example for democracy in the region.” He also recalled that his State Visit to
the Philippines in October 2003 was “one of the best times” he had in his foreign travels.
In his remarks, Ambassador Gaa said that “a profound and powerful symbol not only of our historic ties
but also of our shared love of freedom, are the many Filipino veterans of World War II” who “fought
bravely, together with American soldiers, in the fields of battle, against great odds, to emerge victorious
against tyranny.” He expressed “hope, that together, we can honor their great sacrifice and bring to
them what so justly deserve.”
President Bush noted Philippine-US alliance during the Second World War, the Korean war, the
Vietnam war, and the global war on terror and told Ambassador Gaa that “both (our) countries can be
very proud of our troops’ ongoing joint effort to defeat the Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah on
the island of Jolo.” He added that “the United States is committed to fostering a climate of peace in
Mindanao, and (that it) stand(s) ready to provide quick-disbursing assistance once an agreement is
signed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “
President Bush stressed that “on the international stage, (we) look to the Philippines as a leader in the
Association of South East Asian Nations, and appreciate your strong stand on important issues such
as Burma and North Korea.” Describing the Philippines as “East Asia’s oldest democracy, President
Bush said that it “has an important role in speaking out for the rights of those who do not yet enjoy the
blessings of liberty.”
Stressing that RP-US relationship is “not limited to security matters, alone,” President Bush cited the
“dynamic exchange of people and business between the Philippines and the United States that occurs
everyday.” He noted that the US is the largest foreign investors in the Philippines and its largest trading
partner.
President Bush likewise mentioned the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s approval last year of the
Philippines as a Threshold Country under the Millennium Challenge Account Program. For this reason,
the Philippines will receive over $ 20 million to help tackle corruption and improve tax collection and
administration.
President Bush commented that “Filipinos are known the world over for their extraordinary industry and
graciousness, and the two and a half million Filipino-born residents of the United States are no
exception.”
Extending his “sincere congratulations” to Ambassador Gaa on his appointment, President said that
“on behalf of the American people, I wish you the best of success in your tour of service here in the
United States.”
Ambassador Gaa told President Bush that during his tenure, he “will work to strengthen, broaden, and
deepen these existing ties between the Philippines and the United States, relations which are built on
mutual respect and our common values and pursuit of political and economic freedom.”
Ambassador Gaa was joined by his wife Erlinda and son Wendell during his presentation of
credentials. (END)
1) Photo shows from L to R: Mrs. Linda Gaa, White House
Protocol Officer Dominique Alford and Ambassador Willy C.
Gaa
Protocol Officer Dominique Alford and Ambassador Willy C.
Gaa
2) Photo shows from L to R: Mrs. Linda Gaa, son Wendell Gaa
and Ambassador Willy C. Gaa
and Ambassador Willy C. Gaa
Reference:
Consul Patricia Ann V. Paez
Press and Information Officer
E-mail: pvpaez@aol.com
Tel. No. 202-467-9400
or
E-mail: rppress@verizon.net
Tel. No.: 202-467-9432
Consul Patricia Ann V. Paez
Press and Information Officer
E-mail: pvpaez@aol.com
Tel. No. 202-467-9400
or
E-mail: rppress@verizon.net
Tel. No.: 202-467-9432
