Palace: Marcos’ Singapore trip for F1 race ‘productive’

MANILA, Philippines — After days of remaining silent on reports that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was in Singapore over the weekend to watch the F1 Grand Prix, Malacañang finally issued a brief statement on social media on Monday, saying that his trip to the city-state was “productive.”

In a Facebook post, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz Angeles said that the president took the opportunity to follow up matters that were taken up during a state visit to Singapore last month.

“President Marcos’ visit to Singapore was productive. He strengthened the major items discussed during his state visit to this country, and continued to encourage investment to the Philippines,” she said.

Angeles’ statement did not provide details on the “major items” discussed in the president’s recent state visit nor identify the people who Marcos met on his return. She also did not say why the trip was not announced before the president left the country last week.

But the statement was accompanied by a Facebook post by Singaporean Manpower Minister Tan See Leng about officials from different countries who were at the race.

“Happy to meet various Heads of States, Ministers and foreign dignitaries to affirm our bilateral economic relationships and strengthen collaborations in energy cooperation as well as exchange views on manpower policies on the sidelines of the race,” Tan said.

Among the people he mentioned in his post were Mr. Marcos; President of Palau Surangel Whipps Jr.; Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Toonsi, adviser of the royal court of Saudi Arabia and secretary general of the Saudi Secretariat for the G-20; Pan Sorasak, Cambodian commerce minister; and Keo Rottanak, Cambodian minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office and managing director of the state-run Electricite du Cambodge.

Tan even posted a photo of him with the different dignitaries, including President Marcos.

“I hope everyone had a chance to soak in the Singapore Grand Prix activities, whether it is the race or lifestyle experiences happening in town and within our community,” he said.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Facebook page also posted several pictures of the event, including one showing him with the president and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

“Happy to link up again with friends from both here and abroad. They were excited to be here, to watch the race and enjoy the good company,” Lee said.