Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez and four Philippine lawmakers have been invited to attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, Jan. 20 (Washington time).
Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez congratulates President-elect Donald Trump during a meeting at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida. Trump's second presidential inauguration is set on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Amb. Romualdez)
In an interview on “Unang Balita,” the ambassador shared that the US State Department extended invitations to a representative of each country and the diplomatic corps, though some lawmakers have been invited by their friends in the US Congress.
“Actually, sa totoo lang, ako lang ang imbitado dahil ang United States Department officially ang representative lang ng each country, the diplomatic corps, ang imbitado (Actually, in truth, I am the only one invited because the United States Department officially only the representative of each country, the diplomatic corps, was invited),” he said.
Romualdez added that “we (the Philippines) have about four congressmen who have been invited” by their friends in the US Congress.
Of the four, he only mentioned House Deputy Speakers Tonypet Albano and Raymond Democrito Mendoza.
Trump’s inauguration will be held inside the United States Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C. due to the freezing temperatures and high winds.
Romualdez shared that it was already snowing in Washington D.C. and that temperatures will range between -7 and -11 degrees by Monday.
Earlier, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed that Romualdez will represent Marcos in the inauguration.
“The Palace confirms that the Secretary of State, on behalf of the Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, invited the Chiefs of Diplomatic Missions, along with their spouses, to represent their respective heads of state and their governments at the principal inaugural events,” the statement read.
“In this case, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez will represent PBBM (President Marcos) at the inauguration,” it added.
Trump won over US Vice President Kamala Harris during the November 2024 presidential polls.
This is his second term as he previously served as president from 2016 to 2020, but lost to US President Joe Biden in November 2020.