JAKARTA, Indonesia—President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Sunday made a "symbolic" state visit here when he first had a meet-and-greet with the Filipino community before meeting his Indonesian counterpart President Joko Widodo.
Speaking to Filipinos who gathered to see him, Marcos Jr. promised to campaign for their welfare and protection to return the favor they made when they supported him during the campaign.
"Kaya't upang makabawi man lang nang konti, kahit na nakaboto na kayo, ikakampanya ko pa rin kayo (To return the favor, I would campaign for you)," he said.
A lively crowd, repeatedly cheering "BBM," turned even livelier when they finally saw Marcos Jr. at around 4:45 p.m. The President was accompanied by his wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos, who changed her outfit from a violet dress when they arrived to a black and red ensemble; and son and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro.
A familiar song played during Marcos Jr.'s campaign, Bagong Lipunan, was also played during the gathering.
Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople, who is part of Marcos' delegation, called the trip "symbolic" because "just on his first day, he chose to see the overseas Filipino workers."
"It tells a lot of his concern to our workers. He remembered after the elections, he did not forget to check on them," Ople said in a press conference.
Marcos said he chose Sunday to be his arrival day, so Filipinos were having their rest day and could see him.
In his message to the Filipino community, the President acknowledged the OFWs' contribution to the nation as well as to the economy.
"Kami naman ay laging nagpapasalamat na ang inyong sakripisyo ay patuloy pa rin ninyong ginagawa, pinapakita ninyo ang pinakamagandang ugali ng Pilipino at ito ay nagbibigay bunga sa pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan na naiwan sa Pilipinas (We're always thankful for your sacrifice, for showing good Filipino traits and for helping your fellow in the Philippines)," he said.