President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left for Singapore on Tuesday for a working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation with one of the Philippines’ key partners in Southeast Asia.
The President will remain in Singapore until July 16.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Philippine Airlines flight PR001, carrying Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, departed for Changi Airport at 5:27 pm.
Castro said Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III and Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino were designated as caretakers of the executive branch while the President is abroad.
Marcos is scheduled to make a courtesy call on Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, with the two leaders expected to discuss expanding cooperation between Manila and Singapore in trade and investment, environmental protection, health, and regional and global development.
They are also expected to discuss sustaining and upholding both countries’ commitment to ASEAN centrality and regional stability.
During the visit, Marcos will attend the Milken Institute’s private roundtable discussion on the Philippines’ bid to become an upper-middle-income country. Several Singapore-based business leaders are expected to participate in the meeting.
Castro said Araneta-Marcos accompanied the President as she is scheduled to attend and address the “Global Economic Cooperation East Summit” upon the invitation of the Future Economic Cooperation Council.
The Singapore trip marks Marcos’ 45th foreign visit since assuming the presidency in 2022.