President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila and reaffirms the Philippines–United States partnership, as both sides discuss the US-led initiative Pax Silica. The meeting takes place during Rubio’s visit for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, with the two leaders holding a courtesy call at Malacañang. Rubio tells Marcos that the two countries have deep ties and that the partnership remains strong. Philippine officials say the discussion also covers the Pax Silica initiative, which is being led by the United States. According to the Philippine ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez, Pax Silica is among the topics raised during the bilateral talks. The reports focus on diplomatic engagement and coordination, with no specific details of the initiative’s scope or implementation included in the accounts cited. Both outlets frame the meeting as part of continued ministerial-level engagement during Rubio’s regional trip, emphasizing reaffirmation of bilateral relations and advancing discussions on the initiative.