MANILA, Philippines — United States Vice President Kamala Harris paid a courtesy call on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday.
Harris is in the Philippines for a series of engagements, including meetings with Marcos on the economic and security ties between the two countries and a trip to Palawan.
Harris was welcomed by Marcos Jr. at the Palace compound.
LOOK: President Bongbong Marcos welcomes US Vice President Kamala Harris in Malacañang. (📷RTVM Facebook livestream) @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/KTXNSuQWhE
— Daphne Galvez (@daphnegalvez_) November 21, 2022
Upon arriving, Harris was given arrival honors by Philippine troops and she also signed Malacañang’s guest book.
The US Vice President arrived in the Philippines on Sunday. She is the highest-ranking US government official to have visited the Philippines since Marcos assumed office.
On Tuesday, Harris will meet with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) members in Palawan province.
Before her meeting with Marcos, Harris met with her Philippine counterpart, Sara Duterte.
Marcos earlier said he sees no reason why Harris’ visit to the Philippines, especially to Palawan, will stir tensions between the Philippines and China — considering the island province is the closest to the West Philippine Sea.