President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, April 10, flew to Washington D.C., United States, to participate in the first Trilateral United States-Japan-Philippines Leaders’ Summit.
In his departure speech at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Marcos said he would emphasize the importance of enhancing continued economic cooperation with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
"I intend to explore ways of advancing cooperation, especially in the areas of critical infrastructure, semiconductors, digitalization and cybersecurity, critical minerals, renewable energy as well as defense and maritime cooperation," he said.
The President added that he will also exchange views regarding regional issues of mutual concerns "while continuing to reiterate the importance of upholding the rule of law and preserving rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region."
The Chief Executive said he and Biden will hold a bilateral meeting, with discussions centering on strengthening the US-Philippines alliance.
Marcos is also set to meet US business leaders and invite them to invest in the Philippines.
"I look forward to moving a progressive discussion. Our intention really is to strengthen the partnerships, between our three countries, between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines," he continued.
Meanwhile, three country's caretakers have been appointed while Marcos is in the US, namely Vice President Sara Duterte, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella.
Ayon sa Malacañang, sina Vice President Sara Duterte, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin at Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella muna ang magsisilbing caretakers ng bansa habang nasa US si PBBM. | via Leth Narciso, DZRH News
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) April 10, 2024
