‘Marcos definitely attending UN, APEC summits’
President Marcos will “definitely” attend this year’s United Nations General Assembly in the United States and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Thailand, Philippine ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said.
“He will definitely be a speaker at the United Nations… He’s already slated for that unless of course something comes up that requires him to stay in the country, then he has to cancel that appointed day or time that he’s supposed to speak at the United Nations,” Romualdez said in an interview with “The Chiefs” over Cignal TV’s One News Friday night.
“In APEC, that’s a must. It’s an important summit that all leaders attend and I’m sure that President Marcos will definitely attend,” he added.
The annual UN General Assembly is held at the UN Headquarters in New York City every September, while Thailand will host the 2022 APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit in Bangkok in November.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte had never traveled to the US to personally attend the UN General Assembly during his term. But he virtually participated in the proceedings in 2020 and 2021.
As for APEC, the former president travelled to Peru, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea to personally attend the summits during the first three years of his term.
The 2019 APEC in Chile was cancelled due to protests in the South American country. The succeeding summits were held virtually due to the pandemic.
US invitation
During the same interview, Romualdez said US President Joe Biden has extended an invitation for Marcos to visit the US.
The invitation was in Biden’s letter delivered by US Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, who led the US government’s delegation during Marcos’ inauguration last Thursday.
“It’s really an open invitation for President Marcos to come to the White House… The United States is very eager to have President Marcos come to the United States,” he said.
A US court earlier issued a contempt order against Marcos in relation to a class suit filed by victims of martial law declared by his father and namesake.
But Romualdez said that as head of state, the President enjoys immunity.
“A head of state has full diplomatic immunity, there would be no problem whatsoever. That assurance was actually given to him by the US embassy (chargé d’affaires) Heather Variava,” he stressed.