“On behalf of the American people, I offer congratulations to the people of the Philippines on the 112th anniversary of your declaration of independence," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement on Friday.

Joining the Filipino nation in celebrating Saturday’s 112th anniversary of Philippines’ Independence Day, United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and French President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed their commitment on Friday to continuously forge “longstanding, trustful, and strong” bilateral ties with the Philippines under its new administration.

In a statement, Clinton said her government is counting on a seamless and orderly transition of power in June 30 even as she reiterated the US government’s felicitations for the successful conduct of the first automated elections in the country last May 10.

“On behalf of the American people, I offer congratulations to the people of the Philippines on the 112th anniversary of your declaration of independence. This is a momentous time for your country, and the United States congratulates you on your successful election last month – a testament to the strength of your democracy and a positive example for the world,” she said.

“We look forward to witnessing a smooth transition to the new administration in the coming weeks,” she added.

Both Clinton and Sarkozy pledged to work with President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to further enhance their respective country’s bilateral partnerships with the Philippines.

“The United States is grateful for our alliance with the Philippines and for the benefits it brings to both our peoples. And we look forward to working closely with your new president to continue our strong bilateral partnership,” Clinton said.

Sarkozy expressed his government’s “trustful, longstanding and cordial” partnership with the Philippines, as he extended his “warmest congratulations” to Aquino.

“As I extend all my wishes of success in the exercise of your functions, please accept, Mister President, the assurance of my highest consideration,” he said in a statement emailed to media outfits.

“The Philippines and France maintain trustful, longstanding and cordial bilateral relations. I wish to further broaden our cooperation in all fields,” he said.

Among the world leaders who have already sent their felicitations to Aquino and Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay are US President Barack Obama, newly-installed Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, Chinese President Hu Jintao, and Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, new British Prime Minister David Cameron, and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

US Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr., British Ambassador Stephen Lillie, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Katsuya Okada, and Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura also extended their heartfelt congratulations to the country’s two top leaders.

Meanwhile, Vice President Noli “Kabayan” De Castro also sent his congratulatory message to Aquino and Binay, expressing hopes that they would pursue his advocacy in providing housing to underprivileged and marginalized sectors.

“You have my fullest support as you steer the Republic towards its rightful destination,” he said in a statement.

Also, former President Fidel V. Ramos called on Filipinos not to take for granted the freedom that their forefathers have fought fiercely to achieve and to do their part in emulating and nurturing this gift.

In his Independence Day message, the former president described personal freedom as the greatest gift that one generation can give to the next. He said that as the inheritors of this present, each Filipino has the duty not to abuse or waste the essence of democracy and should instead, remember their responsibility to enrich the gains of the heroes who have given their lives for the liberation from oppression.

Ramos said the Filipinos of today should not be content merely to remember the heroism of their forefathers. Instead, he said, this generation should emulate their action and “try to match the deeds with our own.”

“Plainly stated, we did not acquire Philippine independence and democracy because of colonial benevolence. It was born out of our people's struggles -- lasting hundreds of years -- against foreign and home-grown tyrants,” he said. (With a report from Angie Chui)