Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said joint exploration on oil and gas reserves could be a potential area of future collaboration between the U.S. and the Philippines.

Teodoro issued the statement as he participated in high-level meetings with members of the U.S. Congress on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, the Department of National Defense said in a statement.

Meeting with key members of both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, Teodoro reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to a rules-based international order, the department said.

Teodoro also assured the members of the U.S. Congress that there will be no change in the country’s security alliance posture.

“One of the greatest comforts to the Philippines is the bipartisan support we’ve received from the U.S. Congress. We really cannot overstate how grateful we are,” said Teodoro. 

“American leadership is indispensable, and having this kind of leadership creates reassurance that there will be a balance of power.”

In his discussions with Representatives John Moolenaar, Chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP); Brian Mast, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee; Gus Bilirakis, Member of the House Select Committee on the CCP; and Greg Stanton, Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, both sides exchanged views on the evolving Indo-Pacific security landscape and other global challenges.

Moolenaar asked how Congress could further support the Philippines, to which Teodoro firmly recommended the need for a sustained and visible U.S. leadership across global institutions and alliances.

“This is a time where engagement must be massive and led by the United States, not only in this region, not only in Europe, but also in international organizations,” Teodoro said. “The United States remains the greatest shield against developments we do not want to see unfold in our lives.”

He also held a separate meeting with U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts and Tammy Duckworth, who assured him of continued bipartisan support and reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to maintaining its long-term relationship with the Philippines.

“I deeply value the opportunity to engage with the U.S. Senate. The bipartisan support we receive strengthens our partnership,” Teodoro said.

Duckworth, meanwhile, acknowledged the Filipino workforce in the U.S., particularly in the healthcare sector, highlighting the human capital contributions of the Philippines to global resilience efforts.

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