Marcos Singapore visit ‘productive’

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos was scheduled to return home last night from what Malacañang hailed as a “productive” three-day working visit to Singapore where he sought to boost bilateral ties and lure investors.

Marcos was to depart from Singapore at 7 p.m., marking his 45th overseas trip since assuming the presidency in 2022.

“The working visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Singapore was successful and productive. The President will bring with him tonight different investments in the field of health and digital infrastructure,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said in a media briefing yesterday.

Among the highlights of the visit was the President’s courtesy call on Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday. The meeting at the Istana saw the two leaders committing to enhance cooperation in trade, artificial intelligence, investments, health care and social development.

Marcos and Wong also vowed to push for new bilateral deals that would enhance the ties between their countries.

“I met with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to discuss how the Philippines and Singapore can expand trade, navigate the adoption of AI, attract more investments and deepen cooperation in the health and social sectors,” Marcos said in a social media post.

Castro said Wong also greeted Marcos for the Philippines’ reclassification into an upper-middle income country.

Eala lauded

The meeting was not limited to economic issues and bilateral cooperation.

Castro said Wong also greeted Filipino tennis superstar Alex Eala for making history in Wimbledon.

Free trade deals

Before flying home, Marcos participated in a roundtable discussion co-hosted by the Milken Institute at the Philippine embassy in Singapore.

During the event, Marcos promoted the Philippines as “a resilient and increasingly open investment destination.”

Marcos highlighted the Philippines’ 52-million-strong workforce, its “Build Better More” infrastructure program and policy reforms designed to enhance the business climate.