Marcos meets with Filipinos in Cambodia; vows protection, support
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Filipino community in Cambodia (MPC Pool photo)
[Updated Sept. 8, 2025, 12:32 a.m.]
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Laughter and cheers reverberated through the walls of Sofitel Phnom Penh in Cambodia, where President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with the hundreds of members of the Filipino community.
This was Marcos’ first agenda in his three-day official state visit to Cambodia.
READ: Marcos arrives in Cambodia for state visit
Speaking to 550 members of the Filipino community in Phnom Penh, Marcos vowed to boost protection of the migrant workers in Cambodia.
“Above all, we will continue to discuss in Cambodia the strengthening of appropriate protection for migrant workers,” he said.
The President also said he will urge business leaders to invest in the Philippines for economic growth.
“We are working with Cambodia to grow our economy together. We will encourage their business people to be enthusiastic about investing and doing business with Philippine companies,” Marcos added in Filipino.
He also tasked Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to open a Migrant Workers Office in Cambodia, where Filipinos can report their concerns.
“Above all, we will continue to discuss in Cambodia the strengthening of appropriate protection and welfare of migrant workers,” Marcos said.
“That is why I have tasked Secretary [Hans Leo] Cacdac to open a Migrant Workers Office here in Phnom Penh. This will be done as soon as possible to support our Embassy in advancing your welfare and defending your rights,” he continued.
A positive development
Mike Valdez, a Filipino missionary who has been living in Cambodia for 28 years now, said it is just the right time for the Philippine government to establish an MWO in Cambodia.
‘That’s what we actually need because just this morning I have one friend who said they are being asked to pay an agency so they can obtain OEC [Overseas Employment Certificate],” he told Inquirer.net in Filipino.
“Maybe $800 is too much. So I think it is something our president or the Department of Labor must address,” he added
He also said he tasked Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to open a Migrant Workers Office in Cambodia, where Filipinos can report their concerns.
Marcos also commended the Filipinos in Cambodia as well as in other parts of the world for representing Filipinos on the global scale.
“You represent so powerfully a premium, world-class Filipino brand that embodies heroism,” he said.
“You are not only heroes of your families. You are also heroes to the less fortunate here in Cambodia, to whom you share the fruits of your own hard work,” the president added.
Aside from First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, also included in the Philippine delegation are Cacdac, Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, Commission on Higher Education Chair Shirley Agrupis, and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez.
Around 10,000 Filipinos reside in Cambodia, most of whom work in the fields of education and services.
Marcos and the rest of the delegation landed at Phnom Penh International Airport at 3:08 p.m. (4:08 p.m. Manila time).
On Monday, Marcos is scheduled for a summit with Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Acting Head of State of Cambodia; a bilateral meeting with Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia; and a business roundtable meeting with key business leaders from both countries.
The Philippines and Cambodia will sign agreements related to combating transnational crime, higher education, and air services during the state visit.
Marcos will also seek support for the Philippines’ chairmanship of the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations. /gsg /mr
