House Speaker Martin Romualdez doesn't see anything wrong with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s constant travels abroad.
In fact, he's even encouraging the latter to keep on traveling, particularly if it's from an invite.
On Tuesday, Nov. 15, Romualdez faced House reporters in a press briefing and spoke about his experience with Marcos during the just-concluded 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related summits.
"I have seen our President up close and personal, the engagement with all the heads-of-state has been wonderful. He has been welcomed and taken in by the other heads-of-state in the ASEAN as well as the partner nations," the Leyte 1st district congressman said.
"Marami na ring imbitasyon (There have been many invitations). So they are always inviting him. And when I was asked I said, ‘Well you should take it,’ bacause kumbaga, nagro-road show siya (because, in other words, he's doing a road show)," Romualdez said.
It was during the summit that the Philippine leader was invited to go to China for a state visit, as well as to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) event in Davos, Switzerland. Both events are slated for this coming January.
Romualdez, Marcos’s partner in several of his trips since the latter became president, explained why it's actually beneficial for the Philippine leader to keep going out of the country, especially at this stage in the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Pag masama talaga ang ekonomiya, o talagang nahihirapan tayo, mahirap naman yung magmumukmok na lang sa bahay. Kumbaga sa pamilya kung yung tatay o nanay nagtatrabaho pero may krisis talaga, kung nandun lang tayo sa bahay, walang mangyayari (If the economy is really bad and we're suffering, we shouldn't just sulk at home. It's like your parents, if there's really a crisis and they opt to stay home, nothing will happen)," he said.
"Kaya ang Presidente natin talaga (That's why the President), is going out there saying Philippines is open for business--please come over to see the Philippines, invest, and even for the tourist to come see our beautiful country. Our economy is vibrant, is well; your investments will be safe," noted Romualdez.
In the end, the House leader said that Filipinos are "fortunate" to have a leader like Marcos who is popular in the international community.
Marcos assumed the presidency only last June 30.