Marcos says to invite Singapore president, prime minister to PH

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Agence France Presse

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he will invite the new Singaporean government leaders President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to the Philippines.

Shanmugaratnam was elected as president in a landslide victory in 2023 while Wong began his term in April 2024.

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“This year, the Philippines and Singapore are celebrating 55 years of diplomatic relations and my visit is timely as I will also take the opportunity to invite the new Singaporean president and prime minister to visit the Philippines as a testament to our strengthening bonds,” said Marcos in his departure speech.

Marcos is heading to Brunei on Tuesday for a state visit from May 28 to May 29, after which he will go to Singapore from May 30 to 31 to deliver the keynote address at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue.

“This is also very useful as they have just changed the leadership. The leadership has just shifted earlier this month and it will be very, very good to begin immediately to start to strengthen our relations with the new leaders of Singapore,” said Marcos.

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While in Singapore, he will also speak to former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

According to Marcos, this working visit to Singapore is part of a series of high-level exchanges between the Philippines and Singapore.

Marcos has met with Loong several times, including during the President’s attendance at the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix 2023.