Indonesian President Joko Widodo has officially started his three-day official visit to the Philippines as he arrived in Malacañan on Wednesday morning, Jan. 10, to meet President Marcos.

Widodo arrived in Malacañan around 9:45 a.m. and was welcomed by Marcos. He was then accorded arrival honors at the Kalayaan Grounds before the Indonesian leader signed the guest book at the Reception Hall.

Both presidents are expected to deliver their remarks following a bilateral meeting, which is anticipated to tackle the progress in Philippines-Indonesia relations following the successful state visit of President Marcos to Indonesia in September 2022.

Marcos and Widodo are also expected to reaffirm their commitment to deepening and expanding ties as the two nations mark 75 years of formal diplomatic relations this November.

The plane carrying President Widodo arrived at around 8:05 p.m. on Jan. 9 at the Maharlika Presidential Hangar at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. He was welcomed by Philippine government officials, including Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Gina Jamoralin, and Chief of Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Reichel Quiñones.

Also present were the Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Agus Widjojo and Madame Ranny Moerni Cahyani, along with Defense Attaché Col. Bambang Wijonarko and Fransisca Donna Carmelita.

President Marcos last visited Indonesia in September last year for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Jakarta.

Both the Philippines and Indonesia are founding members of the ASEAN.

"It is also remarkable that the two nations are close neighbors and partners enjoying a longstanding and robust collaboration in various areas in political, economic, and people-to-people relations," Malacañang said.

President Widodo is expected to stay in the Philippines until Jan. 11.