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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos, George and Amal Clooney talk press freedom

Marcos, George and Amal Clooney talk press freedom

Published Nov 15, 2025 06:40 am  |  Updated Nov 15, 2025 01:34 pm
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos welcome human rights lawyer and Clooney Foundation for Justice co-founder Amal Clooney and husband actor-humanitarian activist George Clooney during a courtesy call at the Malacañan Palace on Nov. 14, 2025. (PPA Pool)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos welcome human rights lawyer and Clooney Foundation for Justice co-founder Amal Clooney and husband actor-humanitarian activist George Clooney during a courtesy call at the Malacañan Palace on Nov. 14, 2025. (PPA Pool)
President Marcos, actor George Clooney, and his wife, international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, discussed efforts to strengthen press freedom in the Philippines as the couple paid a courtesy call at Malacañan on Friday, Nov. 14.
The President was joined by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin during the meeting with the Clooneys, who are in Manila for the Social Good Summit 2025.
Amal Clooney highlighted the emerging role of artificial intelligence in improving access to justice, stressing its potential to expand legal assistance for vulnerable communities.
President Marcos welcomed the insight and emphasized the need to pair innovation with safeguards, saying responsible regulation is essential to ensure the ethical and secure use of AI.
He reaffirmed the administration’s “unwavering commitment” to press freedom and said he hoped the Clooneys’ visit to the country would be “meaningful and enjoyable.”

George Clooney, known for his award-winning work as an actor and filmmaker, has long been involved in humanitarian and global advocacy efforts.
Amal, on the other hand, is a leading barrister in international law and human rights and teaches at Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice and an Honorary Fellow at St. Hugh’s College, Oxford.
The two founded the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which provides free legal aid to defend freedom of speech and women’s rights in over 40 countries.
They are headlining the Social Good Summit 2025 on Nov. 16 in Pasay City, where they are expected to speak on global challenges affecting free speech and civil liberties.

Related Tags

President Marcos Bongbong Marcos Press Freedom George Clooney Amal Clooney
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