President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Mark Balmores)
President Marcos will no longer attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this month to focus on local issues, Malacañang confirmed Monday.
“Confirmed ‘di na po tuloy sa UNGA (It’s confirmed that the President will no longer attend the UNGA),” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters Monday afternoon, Sept. 15.
In a separate text message to the media, Communications Secretary Dave Gomez explained that Marcos opted to focus on issues in the country.
“The President has delegated his engagements at the UNGA to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to allow him to focus on local issues,” he said.
Malacañang announced last month that President Marcos will be going to New York in time for the UNGA general debate on Sept. 23.
The President first attended the assembly in 2022 during his first year in office, where he highlighted climate action, food security, and respect for international law.
Marcos’ nonattendance this year comes as his administration faces mounting protests over alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects, which prompted the creation of an independent commission to investigate.