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Ambassador Romualdez...
Filipino American community leaders led by Loida Nicolas Lewis, Laura Garcia, Dely Po Go, Juliet Payabyab, Caesar and Dulce Barangan, among others also came in full force to support Raga.
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U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke and administered the Ceremonial Oath of Office.
“I know Assemblymember Steven Raga will continue in the fine tradition of Filipino Americans in public service in our nation, as he broke the glass ceiling becoming the first-ever Filipino American to be elected in New York State, and it’s not surprising why voters of all backgrounds chose Steven to become their next Assemblymember,” Sen. Schumer said.
After being administered the Oath of Office, Assemblymember Raga delivered a speech reflecting upon his recent journey to the office, as well as his early upbringing growing up in an immigrant singlemother household, and thanked supporters and friends.
“Today, I am humbled by the outpour of support, filled with gratitude for the duty that you have entrusted upon me, and excited about the possibilities for collaboration, and working together towards a better Assembly District 30, and New York State,” said Assemblymember Raga.
“This is a historic day,” said State Senator John Liu. “The Filipino American community has done so much for New York, our city, our state, and indeed our
President Rodrigo Duterte’s foreign policy.
“I think that what President Duterte’s foreign policy, whatever style that he used in communicating to major countries like China and the United States, that is now the fruit that is actually being harvested by President Marcos,” the ambassador said.
“What happened during the time of Duterte was that he just made it clear to the United States that we are a sovereign country and you cannot take us for granted. I think that the United States has accepted that,” he added.
Marcos, said Romualdez, is “now being able to articulate even better” that the Philippines and U.S. should not take each other for granted. Last year, Marcos said he cannot see the Philippines’ future without the U.S. as an ally. n
