Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto (center) talks with media after casting his ballot at a polling station in Bogor, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 9, 2014. (File photo from AP)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto that he is interested to meet the Indonesian leader and talk about diplomatic matters.
Indonesian defense minister Prabowo is currently the leading candidate in the Indonesian presidential elections.
“That might be a good idea. Yes, there are many areas [that] opened up,” Marcos said to Prabowo over the phone.
“The traditional ties has grown stronger over 70 years. In the recent years, President [Joko] Widodo explored many new possibilities,” he noted.
“I would be very interested to meet with you to go into some details,” Marcos told Prabowo.
According to Palace, Prabowo, for his part, told Marcos that he looked forward to strengthen ties with the Philippines.
“I am looking forward to work with you. Philippine-Indonesia relationship have many common interests,” Prabowo had said.
“I’d like to know what you are thinking. I hope to meet you as soon as possible,” Prabowo told Marcos.
Marcos is interested to partner with Indonesia in the fields of energy production and green metals, said Palace.
The Chief Executive also hopes the new Indonesian leader will sustain the relations that were forged between Philippine government and outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo.