President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would be allowed to travel to the United States despite the contempt judgment against him given his diplomatic "immunity" for being the head of state.
This was stated by US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman when asked if Marcos will be allowed to enter the US despite the contempt order against him which prevented him from traveling to the foreign country for years.
"This is not something that needs to be discussed. The fact is that when you're head of state, you have immunity in all circumstances and are welcome to the United States in your official role," Sherman said.
Sherman met with several outgoing and incoming government officials, including the President-elect, during her visit in Manila on Thursday, June 9.
In her meeting with Marcos, they agreed to deepen the two countries' long-standing alliance and discussed the importance of partnering together to strengthen both sides' economies, including public-private partnerships, clean energy and digital economy.
They also talked about the importance of fostering respect for human rights and rule of law in the Philippines.
On Twitter, Sherman expressed she is "pleased to meet and congratulate" Marcos.
"We discussed strengthening our longstanding alliance, expanding people-to-people ties, deepening our economic relationship, advancing human rights, and preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific," she said.
Sherman is in Asia until June 14. Aside from the Philippines, the US official is in the region to visit South Korea, Vietnam, and Laos.
She is the highest ranking State Department official to visit the country since the pandemic.
READ MORE: Marcos, US Deputy State Secretary discuss deepening PH-US ties