WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington Bureau) – At the ongoing ASEAN Summit in Singapore, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has again referred to the Asia-Pacific region as “Indo-Pacific.”

“Indo-Pacific” is being used by the Trump Administration to define America’s new geopolitical view of Asia. Trump started using the new reference to Asia since his tour to the region last year.

The use of the term was a departure from language employed by previous administrations, and has led to speculation that it could have to do with Washington softening the ground for a revival of the so-called Quadrilateral strategic alliance consisting of the US, Japan, Australia and India to counter China’s rise.

Now, in what  is being considered a public enodorsement of Sara Duterte-Carpio’s rumored and much-speculated eye on the Philippine Presidency in 2022, Donald Trump has recently been heard using the term “Inday-Pacific” to refer to the Philippines.

Carpio is the mayor of Davao City and is the daughter of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. She is more popularly known among Filipinos as “Inday Sara.”