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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'It's for the Philippines': DFA defends Marcos' frequent overseas travels

'It's for the Philippines': DFA defends Marcos' frequent overseas travels

Published Mar 8, 2024 04:21 am

At A Glance

  • So far, President Marcos has made 23 visits to 15 countries since he assumed the presidency in 2022.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has defended President Marcos against critics of his frequent foreign trips, saying his overseas engagements support his goal of achieving a prosperous nation.

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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of European Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre said this ahead of Marcos' scheduled trip to Germany and the Czech Republic from March 11 to 15.

In a press briefing in Malacañan, the DFA official said that contrary to what the critics believe, the President's foreign travels are not a waste of taxpayers' money.

"Hindi po (They are not). These trips are all in support of the President's development agenda for the well-being of our country and the progress of Filipinos," she said on Friday, March 8.

"The President's international engagements are, of course, in support of his development agenda— security and economic— that will redound to the benefits of our countrymen," she added.

For his visit to Central Europe next week, Algrabre said President Marcos' visit will focus on strengthening partnerships with like-minded countries, especially the promotion of rules-based international order and boosting trade and labor relations.

"We also wish to expand economic cooperation with Germany to explore other avenues of cooperation and the same with the Czech Republic," she said.

Marcos' upcoming trip to Europe comes days after he ended his second trip to Australia this month. The President first went to Canberra to address the Australian parliament in late February while he was in Melbourne this week for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Australia Special Summit.

Among those joining the President in his visit to Germany and the Czech Republic are First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil.

So far, President Marcos has made 23 visits to 15 countries since he assumed the presidency in 2022.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos PBBM in Europe Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) overseas trip President Marcos
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