Malacañang has confirmed that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. indeed went to Singapore over the weekend in time for the Singapore Grand Prix but called the visit a "productive" one as it was an offshoot of his State Visit to the country last month.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said this after photos of Marcos' unannounced trip circulated on social media.
In a social media post early Monday morning, Angeles said the President's trip was productive.
"Naging produktibo ang pagdalaw sa Singapore ni Pangulong Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr (President Marcos' visit to Singapore was productive)," she wrote on Monday, Oct. 3.
"Pinagpatibay niya ang mga pangunahing usapan sa huling State Visit sa bayan na ito, at pinatuloy ang paghihikayat sa pag invest sa bayang Pilipinas (He affirmed the discussions made during his State Visit to Singapore and continued to invite investors to invest in the Philippines)," she added.
After being silent since rumors first surfaced last week, Malacañang finally confirms that President Marcos went to Singapore over the weekend. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the trip, which happened during the Singapore Grand Prix, was "productive." @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/aICZBjTzn8
— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) October 3, 2022
Angeles's social media update was accompanied by a screenshot of a Facebook post by Singapore's Minister of Manpower Dr. Tan See Leng that featured photos of the event, including one with President Marcos and other world leaders.
In his post, Tan said the meeting with the different world leaders on the sidelines of the Singapore Grand Prix reaffirmed bilateral economic relationships.
"Happy to meet various Heads of State, Ministers, and foreign dignitaries (including Bongbong Marcos, President Surangel Whipps Jr., Cambodia's Minister attached to the Prime Minister and Managing Director of Electricite Du Cambodge (EDC), Keo Rottanak, Cambodia's Minister of Commerce, Pan Sorasak, Advisor to the Royal Court, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Fahad Bin Abdullah Toonsi) to affirm our bilateral economic relationships and strengthen collaborations in energy cooperation as well as exchange views on manpower policies on the sidelines of the race," he wrote.
This was the first time Malacañang confirmed Marcos' trip to Singapore since rumors of the said activity surfaced Thursday last week.
The Singapore Grand Prix (SGP) 2022, held from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, marked the return of Formula One (F1) to Asia since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Founded in 2008, the SGP is a motor racing event that forms part of the Formula One World Championship. The event took place at the Marina Bay Street Circuit and was the inaugural night race and the first street circuit in Asia designed for Formula One races.
Based on its website, a regular three-day package ticket for the Singapore Grand Prix costs up to SG$1,288 or up to P52,889. The ticket for Sunday's event costs up to SG$988 or P40,570.
Marcos was in Singapore for a State Visit from Sept. 6 to 7, where he met with Prime Minister Lee and President Halimah Yacob.
During the visit, both countries inked six accords covering migrant workers, counterterrorism, data privacy, water, and business collaboration.
Singapore likewise named a new orchid hybrid after the President and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos.
Marcos brought home US$6.54 billion worth of foreign direct investments from his trip to Singapore, which is expected to generate jobs for around 15,000 Filipinos.