President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was finally apprised of what went down during former president Rodrigo Duterte's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month, as Marcos met his predecessor in Malacañang on Wednesday evening, Aug. 2.

WHEN PRESIDENTS MEET — President Marcos meets his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte, in Malacañang on the evening of Aug. 2, 2023. According to Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil, the two discussed Duterte's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last month. (PCO)

In a tweet, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the two leaders likewise discussed other issues and that Marcos received advice from Duterte.

"Former President Rodrigo Duterte visited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to speak about his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China," it said.

"They also discussed other issues. The former President gave some good pieces of advice to President Marcos," it added.

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil shared the same with Malacañang reporters but did not specify what Marcos and Duterte discussed.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte visited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to speak about his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China.

They also discussed other issues. The former President gave some good pieces of advice to President Marcos. pic.twitter.com/U3zMsporyM

— Presidential Communications Office (@pcogovph) August 2, 2023

In a video, Duterte, assisted by his walking cane, was seen arriving in Malacañang and was greeted by his successor. The former President was joined by his long-time aide, Senator Bong Go.

Duterte was also welcomed by Garafil, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Solicitor General Menardo Guevara, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, and former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

Marcos' meeting with Duterte came after Marcos said in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) last week that he would protect the country's sovereignty as he forms strategic alliances with traditional and newfound partners in the international community.

"Our journey to progress requires not only unity and social cohesion amongst our people. It is also imperative that our nation remains intact and inviolable— our sovereignty preserved," he said.

"We will protect our sovereign rights and preserve our territorial integrity in defense of rules-based international order," he added.

The President's remark came after Duterte's unannounced meeting with Xi. Marcos claimed to know about the meeting he described as "between friends."

China continues to reject the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling invalidating its nine-dash line claim over a large portion of the disputed South China Sea.