Malacañang confirms PBBM visit to SG, says purpose is to reinforce investment talks
Malacañang has confirmed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. did go to Singapore over the weekend in time for the Singapore Grand Prix but said the visit was made to reinforce talks during his recent state visit there and encouraged anew investments in the country.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles shared in her official Facebook page a screenshot of a post made by Singaporean Manpower Minister Tan See Leng confirming Marcos’ trip to the city-state.
Accompanying PBBM in his Singapore trip were his son, Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos, and his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
On his Facebook post, Tan said he met other heads of state, ministers, and foreign dignitaries apart from Marcos.
“Happy to meet various Heads of States, Ministers and foreign dignitaries (including Bongbong Marcos, President Surangel Whipps Jr., Cambodia’s Minister attached to the Prime Minister and Managing Director of Electricite Du Cambodge (EDC), Keo Rottanak, Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce, Pan Sorasak, Advisor to the Royal Court, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Fahad Bin Abdullah Toonsi) to affirm our bilateral economic relationships and strengthen collaborations in energy cooperation as well as exchange views on manpower policies on the sidelines of the race,” he said.
“Last but not least, especially happy to have our community and tripartite leaders and front-liners at the event. Thank you for your contributions towards the fight against Covid-19 over the last 2 years,” he added.
The confirmation came after rumors started circulating as early as Thursday that PBBM had flown to the city-state to watch the Singapore Grand Prix (SGP) 2022, which held from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. The high-octane event marked the return of Formula One (F1) to Asia since the Covid-19 pandemic.
PBBM is widely believed to be a huge fan of F1 racing.
Based on the official event website, a regular three-day package ticket for the Singapore Grand Prix costs up to SG$1,288 or up to P52,889. The ticket for Sunday’s event costs up to SG$988 or P40,570.
Netizens weren’t particularly pleased to see photos of PBBM seemingly enjoying himself at the expensive event, so soon after Super Typhoon Karding claimed 12 lives and caused billions of pesos in damage to property and agriculture.
