ROCKSTAR. President Ferdinand R. Marcos and First Lady Liza A. Marcos attend the gala dinner of the ASEAN Summit in Cambodia Saturday (Nov. 12, 2022). (Malacanang photo)
MANILA – Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has impressed many world leaders in the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cambodia.
Romualdez said he felt proud when leaders of other nations, including US President Joe Biden, warmed in the presence of Marcos.
The Speaker likened Marcos to a rockstar.
"It makes me feel proud to see our President being warmly received by his fellow leaders in the region. He has been welcomed and embraced. Other leaders in Asia are looking forward to meeting him and talking business with him. Dare I say, the President has been like a rockstar here," Romualdez said.
The Speaker said the president’s popularity among other leaders got more noticeable when he received invitations to attend future meetings and forums, which, he added, is beneficial to the country.
"Leaders from around the world are drawn to the Chief Executive and this bodes well for the Philippines, for practical reasons. We in government intend to build on our 7.6 percent economic growth in the third quarter based on our gross domestic product. The President will strive to turn these interactions on the international stage into tangible benefits that can trickle down into every Filipino home," Romualdez said.
He also said the president made significant inroads in promoting the country during the summit.
Among others, Romualdez cited the President’s call during the ASEAN-China summit for the immediate conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea based on international law.
In a brief exchange with Marcos, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang vowed to work with the Philippines and other ASEAN nations for peace and stability in the South China Sea based on mutual respect and international laws, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
“The agreement between President Marcos and Premier Li to further enhance Philippine-China relations bode well for the easing of tensions in the South China Sea and for our country’s energy and food security,” Romualdez said. (PNA)
