President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left for Canada on Wednesday night for a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, as mass rallies led by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) continued in Metro Manila.
Marcos, accompanied by First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos and members of his Cabinet, departed past 8 p.m. for the July 1 to 4 visit upon the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, and Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino will oversee government affairs while Marcos is in Canada.
The trip marks the first official visit of a Philippine president to Canada in more than a decade, following the visit of former President Benigno Aquino III in 2015.
Before his departure, Marcos said the visit would build on the “unprecedented momentum” in Philippines-Canada relations, particularly in trade, defense and security, agriculture, maritime cooperation, energy, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
“Our diplomatic ties with Canada span 77 years and continue to grow from strength to strength,” Marcos said.
He said Canada has been a steady partner of the Philippines, particularly on the West Philippine Sea issue.
“It may not be known to many, but Canada has been consistent and steadfast in its statements of support for the Philippines’ assertion of its sovereignty and sovereign rights, especially in the midst of the ongoing issues we are facing now in the West Philippine Sea,” Marcos said.
“Canada’s consistent support, both bilaterally and multilaterally, reflects our shared interest in upholding a rules-based international order, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” he added.
Marcos said his meeting with Carney would focus on elevating Philippines-Canada relations and identifying new areas of cooperation, including mining, critical minerals, renewable energy, nuclear energy, telecommunications, cybersecurity, financial services, and information technology-business process management.
He said the discussions are expected to lay the groundwork for a Plan of Action that will guide the next phase of bilateral relations.
“This Plan of Action will shape the next phase of our bilateral relations and ensure the sustained and dynamic growth of our partnership in the years to come,” Marcos said.
The President also cited ongoing negotiations for a Philippines-Canada Free Trade Agreement, alongside talks for an ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement.
He said he would seek to bring the Philippines further into the investment radar of Canadian economic players, particularly in sectors aligned with the administration’s development priorities.
Marcos is also scheduled to hold one-on-one business meetings and participate in roundtable discussions with Canadian private sector leaders.
As this year’s ASEAN Chair, Marcos said he would discuss with Carney the importance of the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN, and multilateral cooperation.
He said he would invite Canada to play a more proactive role in the region, including in addressing the impact of the situation in the Middle East.
“I will talk about the Philippines’ goals as this year’s ASEAN Chair on ensuring energy and food security, strengthening maritime cooperation, and promoting the safety of ASEAN nationals,” Marcos said.
He added that the Philippines intends to continue working with Canada through the ASEAN-Canada Dialogue and other ASEAN mechanisms.
Marcos also cited the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries, noting that about one million Filipinos live in Canada.
He said the launch of the non-stop Air Canada route between Vancouver and Manila, along with Philippine Airlines’ flights linking Manila to Toronto and Vancouver, would further strengthen travel and connectivity between the two countries.
The President is also set to meet with the Filipino community in Vancouver, British Columbia.
“Mayroon pong humigit-kumulang na isang milyong Pilipino sa Canada ngayon. They are well-respected and sought after for their skills, professionalism, and dedication,” Marcos said.
“Dito sa Pilipinas, patuloy silang nakikilahok sa pagpapaunlad ng ating ekonomiya at pagpapatatag ng ating demokrasya, sa kabila ng ilang taong pagkakawalay sa bayan,” he added.
Marcos pushed through with the trip despite the ongoing INC-led rallies in EDSA and Manila.
In a chance interview, the President said he saw no reason to postpone the visit, expressing confidence that the INC would not engage in actions that could lead to disorder.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro earlier said the administration also saw no reason to cancel the trip, which had long been scheduled and forms part of the President’s official duties.
Castro said rumors that some protesters were planning to storm Malacañang in Manila and Camps Aguinaldo and Crame in Quezon City would not stop Marcos from performing his work.
“Matagal na rin po itong naka-schedule at kailangan din po niyang magtrabaho. Hindi po kasi siya pwedeng pahintuin lamang ng mga bulung-bulungan na mayroong lulusob sa Malacañang, na mayroong gagawa ng destabilization,” Castro said.
“This has been scheduled for a long time, and he also needs to work. He cannot simply stop because of rumors that several groups will storm Malacañang or attempt to carry out destabilization efforts,” she added.
Castro said Malacañang respects the INC leadership and does not believe the group would be behind any destabilization plot.
“Hindi po magpapahinto ang Pangulo sa kanyang pagtatrabaho para sa taumbayan. Pero, iginagalang natin ang liderato ng INC at hindi tayo naniniwala na sila ang magiging nasa likod ng destabilization,” she said.
“The President will not be prevented from carrying out his work for the people. But we also respect the leadership of the INC and we do not believe that they will be behind any destabilization plot,” she added.
The INC reportedly plans to extend its rally, particularly along EDSA, until July 3.
The Philippines and Canada marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024. Their ties are anchored on cooperation in peace and security, economic development, migration, education, and people-to-people exchanges.