Senators have expressed hope for the continued stable Philippine-American relations particularly on trade and investment under the leadership of Donald Trump who pulled off one of the most shocking upsets in the US electoral history on Wednesday (Manila time) to become the 55th President.

”Throughout decades of constant change in the political landscapes of our respective countries, the Philippines and the United States have always maintained close economic ties,” said Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on economic affairs, is hoping US President-elect Trump and his government will be willing to continue the cordial trade relationship between US and the Philippines.

The US is the Philippines’ third-largest trading partner, he said.

Gatchalian mused that President Rodrigo Duterte might have met his stylistic match in President-elect Trump, who has drawn comparisons to Duterte due to his strong personality, frank speaking style, and rockstar-like following among constituents.

“I think that the first Duterte-Trump meeting will be one of the most anticipated meetings between two Heads of State in a long time. Who knows, maybe they’ll even become friends,” said Gatchalian.

Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto, for his part, said a gameplan is needed in rebooting the PHL-US ties under Trump administration.

”President Duterte should consult advisers on how to reboot PHL-US relations taking two new factors into consideration: the ascendancy of Trump and our assumption of an independent foreign policy,” Recto said.

”Trump’s victory opens a new chapter in PHL-US relations which we should shape to our advantage,” he added.

Senate President Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III also congratulated Trump for winning the US presidential election.

”Since this is a new administration or a new leader, we could always start with a clean slate with Trump,” Pimentel said.

”I also congratulate the American people for the peaceful transfer of power. That’s part of democracy. The election was peacefully and honestly held,” he added.

Senator Grace Poe, who ran but lost in the last May 9 Philippine presidential election, said the Philippines has to advance the interest of the Filipino people by talking with the new US government.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III is hoping the national policy that Trump government would establish would not affect the Filipino immigrants in the US.

”Judging the statements uttered before by Donald Trump, he is not really in favor of immigrants. Let’s see what would be his national policy,” Sotto said.

Sotto said defeated US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is supportive of national policies favorable to immigrants. (PNA)