Janvic Mateo
July 3, 2022
United States President Joe Biden also has an open invitation for President Marcos to visit the US, according to Philippine ambassador Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez.
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, July 1.
“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, June 30.
“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.
Locsin to return to UN?
Meanwhile, Romualdez said he has recommended appointing former foreign affairs secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. back to his former post as the country’s representative to UN in New York.
“I would definitely like to see him back at the United Nations. I mentioned it to the President, I also mentioned it to Secretary (Enrique) Manalo. Hopefully, he would be there,” he said.
“He did very well as ambassador to the United Nations. He is very articulate and he can express himself clearly on certain policies that we need to espouse at the United Nations,” he added.
Asked if Locsin is willing to accept his former post, Romualdez said the former secretary jokingly said, “I’d like to be near you.”
“So if I’m going to be in Washington, it would be nice to have Secretary Locsin not too far away,” added the ambassador.
Locsin served as the Philippine permanent representative to the UN in New York from 2017 until his appointment as foreign affairs chief in 2018.
He has yet to comment on Romualdez’ recommendation.
Manalo, Locsin’s successor to the UN post, was named Foreign Affairs Secretary of President Marcos on Friday, July 1.
The Philippine Mission to the UN in New York, in separate Twitter posts, congratulated Manalo on his appointment and expressed gratitude to Locsin for his service in the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“You flew the flag proudly with honor, distinction, and dedication: a privilege to serve the Filipino people under your leadership,” the mission said of Locsin.
Source: https://www.onenews.ph/articles/marcos-definitely-attending-un-apec-summits-romualdez