Singapore’s president arrives in Malacañang

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam arrives in Malacañang for a bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, Aug. 15.

MANILA, Philippines — Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Thursday arrived in Malacañang for a bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Shanmugaratnam is in the country with his wife, first lady Jane Yumiko Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, for a three-day state visit.

Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and members of the Cabinet welcomed Shanmugaratnam and his wife upon their arrival at the Palace.

The Presidential Communications Office previously said that Marcos intends to “reaffirm the Philippine government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with Singapore” in his meeting with Shanmugaratnam.

Upon receiving the arrival honors and the signing of the guest book in Malacañan Palace, Marcos and Shanmugaratnampartake will partake in a bilateral meeting and are expected to tackle cooperation on energy and healthcare.

They are also expected to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding involving the recruitment of Filipino healthcare workers and collaborations on climate financing.

Prior to arriving at the Malacañan Palace, Shanmugaratnam attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park, Manila.