First couple attend Prabowo, Gibran inauguration

COURTESY CALL President Marcos greets Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto in Malacañang Palace in this file photo in September 2024. —Marianne Bermudez

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos flew to Jakarta late Saturday afternoon to witness the inauguration of Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka on Sunday.

In a statement on Saturday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo invited the first couple to the inauguration. Gibran is Widodo’s eldest son.

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The Palace said the Marcoses’ presence at Prabowo’s formal assumption of office reaffirms the deep and enduring friendship between the two nations.

Prabowo is a former military general and the current defense minister of Indonesia. He was president-elect in March.

Last month, Prabowo called on the President as part of the Asian custom of calling on neighboring allies before taking on a new post.

He assured Marcos that he will continue to closely support and work with the Philippines “in all fields,” as he noted the common cultural and historical roots of the two nations.

The PCO noted that Marcos’ first state visit was to Indonesia after he assumed office in 2022. —Julie M. Aurelio