Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez has defended President Marcos' foreign trips by saying "travelling for a leader is a must."
Asked about his comment on the President's remark that he was "travelling too much," the senior diplomat believed it is just imperative for Marcos to make trips "because diplomacy is conducted in person.
"Even I, during the COVID, I still had to go around and take my chances, because that's the only way," Romualdez said in an interview with ANC as he noted that the President himself "doesn't want to travel."
Besides, there was also another president who travelled a lot, Romualdez added.
"You have to do it [diplomacy[ in person. And our president needs to do that. We've told him that there are some commitments or some travel commitments that he really cannot avoid," he said.
Romualdez also said the President is expected to make another trip to the United States, a country his administration is currently trying to strengthen alliance with.