President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. (Photo from the Official Facebook page of Bongbong Marcos)
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos arrived at the Wattay International Airport for the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane, Laos.
Marcos and the Philippine delegation arrived in Laos at 3:16 p.m. local time.
They were welcomed by the Philippine Ambassador to Laos Deena Joy Amatong, along with other officials from the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane.
Laos Minister of Mining and Energy Phoxay Xayasone and his wife Phonethida Sayida welcomed the President Marcos and his delegation
They were joined by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General for Consular Department Soulisack Soulinthone and Protocol Department Deputy Director-General Outtama Sithiphong.
Marcos will be in Laos from October 8 to 11, where he is expected to meet the Filipino community before his official engagement starts.
Hours before his departure, the Palace announced that Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III will serve as the country’s caretakers while Marcos is overseas.
This is the first time that Vice President Sara Duterte was not assigned as one of the caretakers during the president’s overseas trip.