Singaporean Ambassador to the Philippines Gerard Ho confirmed to local media Monday, May 30, the invitation for a state visit extended to President-elect Bongbong Marcos by his government.
"I have also mentioned and reiterated that invitation in the earlier meeting with President Marcos," Ho told reporters during a short press briefing at the BBM headquarters in Mandaluyong City.
By "that meeting", he was referring to Singaporean President Halimah Yacob's intention to host Marcos in a state visit.
Yacob reportedly made the invite via the congratulatory letter she sent to Marcos following the May 9, 2022 elections. A state visit is the most formal form of visit a head of state can do to a foreign country.
"This is something that we do often among ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) leaders," Ho said.
However, the foreign diplomat said he had no details about the Marcos visit, at least not yet
"There are no details as of yet. This is something that would depend on the schedules and I see that there are a lot of things to be done for the new president," Ho said of Marcos.
Marcos, 64, is scheduled to be inaugurated as Philippine president on June 30.