Bongbong Marcos invites Biden to attend his inauguration

Bongbong Marcos (left) and US President Joe Biden

MANILA, Philippines — Presumptive Philippine president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has invited United States president Joe Biden to attend his inauguration on June 30.

Marcos Jr. extended the invitation during a phone call with Biden on Thursday, May 12 (Manila time).

“I have also invited President Biden to my inaugural on June 30, which could further fortify the relationship of the two countries,” Marcos Jr. said in a statement.

INQUIRER.net is trying to confirm if Biden has agreed to attend the event.

During the phone call, Marcos Jr. assured Biden that “the Philippines has always held the United States in high regard as a friend, an ally, and a partner.”

Marcos Jr.’s office said the two leaders discussed strengthening ties between the two countries in terms of trade and diplomacy. Marcos Jr. and Biden also talked about their “common interest in democracy, self-determination, economic recovery.”

In a statement released by the White House earlier in the day, it stated that Biden expressed his intentions to continue strengthening the alliance between the Philippines and the United States.

“President Biden underscored that he looks forward to working with the President-elect to continue strengthening the U.S.-Philippine Alliance, while expanding bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, including the fight against COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, promoting broad-based economic growth, and respect for human rights,” the White House said.

In January this year, Marcos Jr. said that his family’s history with the United States will not influence his foreign policy should he win as president.

In 2012, A US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit handed down a contempt judgment against Marcos Jr., his mother Imelda, and the estate of Ferdinand Marcos for violating an injunction that barred them from dissipating assets of the estate.

The contempt award meant that the Marcoses will not be allowed to set foot on any US territory.

/MUF