President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. during his departure speech at Villamor Air Base for the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia. (Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia on Monday evening for the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.
Marcos arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in the evening after addressing his Cabinet officials at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
Marcos, who was given arrival honors in Jakarta, was accompanied by first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, his son Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, and his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil and Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista were also with the president.
The summit — whose theme this year is “Asean Matters: Epicentrum of Growth” — will run from Sept. 5 to 7.
Marcos and other Asean leaders will discuss partnerships with Australia, Canada, India, China, Japan, Korea, the United States, and the United Nations.
Other plans include Asean leaders producing 90 targeted documents — including the Asean leaders’ declaration on strengthening food security and nutrition in response to a crisis.
On his third trip to Indonesia, Marcos will also meet business leaders.
“The president will also be attending events specifically to pitch trade and investment in Indonesia – one of them will be a meeting with the Asean Business Advisory Council and another one with certain businesses who intend to expand their presence in the Philippines,” Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said in a previous briefing.
President Marcos and first lady Lisa Araneta-Marcos arrive in Jakarta on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)