President Marcos has designated Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian as the government's caretaker while he is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro disclosed this on Monday, Jan. 12, the day the President is set to depart from Manila to Abu Dhabi for a working visit until Jan. 14.

Since October 2024, Marcos has been delegating the task to an executive committee consisting of Cabinet officials, usually led by the Executive Secretary and Estrella.

Marcos is expected to fly to Abu Dhabi on Monday, but as of Monday noon, Malacañang has yet to give information on the President's exact departure time.

Castro, however, confirmed that the Chief Executive's working visit will push through.

"Hindi pa po (Not yet)," she said in a Palace briefing when asked if the President has already left the country.

"Tuloy. At ibibigay naman po namin sa inyo ang update kapag po ang Pangulo po ay lumipad na patungong Abu Dhabi (Yes, it will proceed. We will provide you with an update once the President has flown to Abu Dhabi)," Castro said.

The Palace official also said that there will be no media covering the President's visit. It also did not open his departure for media coverage.

"Ipagpaumanhin, hindi ko po naitanong. Ibnigay lang po sa amin ang detalye kung ano ang kanyang gagawin sa Abu Dhabi at magpipirma nga po ng mahahalagang agreements pati yung memorandum of understanding (My apologies, I was not able to ask. We were only given details on what he will be doing in Abu Dhabi and that he will be signing important agreements, including memoranda of understanding)," Castro said when asked why there was no media coverage.

"At mamaya, malamang po, kapag ito po ay nabigyan ako ng impormasyon tungkol diyan, maaari ko pong i-share sa inyo maya maya lamang po (Later on, if I am provided with information on that, I can share it with you shortly)," Castro added.

During his visit, Marcos is expected to sign two deals with UAE— Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation.

Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver said CEPA has been under negotiation for years.

“We were one of the very first countries to be offered to conclude this agreement, and finally, we’re doing it. And it just goes to show nag-iiba na rin ang relations natin dito (that our relations are transforming),” Ver said.

According to Ver, the CEPA will expand cooperation in trade, services, and investments, while providing the Philippines greater access to the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, aside from the UAE.

The MOU on Defense Cooperation, on the other hand, will enhance defense cooperation between the two countries, including joint training, exchange of officers, and information sharing.

“Because they also have very highly developed defense capabilities here that we can benefit from. Like we also have a security agreement with them,” he said.

Ver added that on the civilian side, Manila and Abu Dhabi also collaborate on information sharing related to terrorism, transnational crime, illegal drugs, and human trafficking.

“ It’s all expanding into previously untapped na hindi natin—kasi nga of course the focus is on our workers. Now we see that we’ve elevated our relations,” he said.

Ver said some of the emerging areas of cooperation likewise include artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and the digital economy – sectors where the Philippines has growing strengths and competitive advantages.

The ambassador emphasized that the President’s visit reflects the accelerating momentum in bilateral relations, noting that Marcos' meeting with the UAE President marks their second engagement in just 14 months and highlighting the growing strength and continuity of the Philippines–UAE bilateral relationship following a 15-year interval in high-level visits.

“This is the second in about 14 months, in November 2024. So in a short span of time, he met with His Highness the President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE twice. And before that, it was 15 years before a visit took place and another one followed. Symbolically and substantively, ang laki nung ibig sabihin noon (it speaks volume),” Ver said.

A key highlight of the visit is Marcos’ participation in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), a major global forum that brings together world leaders and policymakers to address climate change, renewable energy, and sustainable economic development.

Ver stressed the importance of the Philippines’ participation in the annual forum, citing the country’s vulnerability to climate change and its growing experience in adaptation and resilience.

“Alam mo, sinasabi nila (You know, they are saying that) we’re one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, so we need all the help that we can get. But aside from that, we’re also here to share what we know para ibahagi at ibida rin natin mga ginagawa natin—kasi nga dahil malaki na ang experience natin diyan, alam na rin natin (to share and also showcase what we are doing—because we already have extensive experience in that area, and we know it well), and we want to share to the world,” Ver said.

Ver added that the forum is expected to host at least 12 to 14 heads of state this year, including Marcos, further underscoring its significance as a platform for high-level international dialogue.

Marcos' visit is upon the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.