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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos leaves for Cambodia; acknowledges Cabinet feeling 'unjustly beleaguered'

Marcos leaves for Cambodia; acknowledges Cabinet feeling 'unjustly beleaguered'

Published Sep 7, 2025 02:02 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is seen having a conversation with DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro shortly after he delivered his departure speech at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Sept. 7, 2025. (RTVM)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is seen having a conversation with DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro shortly after he delivered his departure speech at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Sept. 7, 2025. (RTVM)
Before he departed the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City for Cambodia, President Marcos made a brief comment to his Cabinet, saying he understood why they might be feeling "unjustly beleaguered."
Without further explanation, Marcos also said he hoped their heads had cooled down.
"I hope, lumamig na yung mga ulo ninyo (I hope your heads have cooled down). But I will have to just say that I perfectly understand why you are feeling a little unjustly beleaguered)," he said as he was acknowledging the presence of some of his Cabinet members for his departure speech on Sunday, Sept. 7.
The President did not elaborate on his statement. After his speech, he was seen talking to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remullla.
Other Cabinet members for tourism, health, justice, among others were also present during Marcos' departure.
He designated Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III as government caretakers while he is away.
The President will be accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Cabinet officials from the DFA, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and Presidential Communications Office (PCO), as well as the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The plane carrying him and his delegation took off at 1:44 p.m.
Diversify PH-Cambodia ties
Marcos said during his three-day state visit to Cambodia, he will discuss ways to diversify the two countries' cooperation which currently include defense and security, trade, agriculture, heritage preservation, among others.
"[D]uring my visit, I will discuss ways to further diversify our cooperation and strengthen our intra-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) relationships and exchanges by capitalizing on our complementary strengths in the face of global economic headwinds," Marcos said in his speech.
"To this end, we will discuss expanding our commercial relations and building more resilient value chains," he added.
The President further said that his visit will reinforce the importance of ASEAN Centrality and the country's commitment to build a progressive and inclusive region.
He expressed hopes that through intensified defense and security cooperation with Cambodia, they are able to uphold a peaceful, stable, and resilient ASEAN community.
"I look forward to all of these very productive meetings that we have scheduled and I am sure that we will find many, many ways that we can develop to be beneficial to both our countries, Cambodia and the Philippines," he said.
He also stressed that the Philippines has been a resolute partner of Cambodia in addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges confronting the region, such as transnational crimes.
He cited the two countries' commitment to mutual growth as they have engaged in South-South cooperation through the scholarships given to Cambodian students by the Philippine Government in higher education institutions, specifically in the field of science and technology.  
The two countries' diplomatic relations started in 1957. There are around 7,500 Filipinos in Cambodia, according to Marcos.

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President Marcos Marcos Cabinet PH-Cambodia State Visit
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