Marcos defends 'big' delegation in Switzerland trip

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. defended the "big" Philippine delegation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, saying each official with him has a vital role to play in the meetings.

Marcos also said that half of the delegation was from the private sector and had made their own travel arrangements.

“The delegation was large but half of it was private. They came here on their own. They stayed in their own places. They made their own arrangements although they are technically part of the delegation,” Marcos told reporters in Zurich on Friday. 

“The delegation essentially just consists of the Cabinet secretaries, myself, the Speaker, and of course the staff that supports them,” he said.

Marcos returned to the Philippines on Saturday afternoon. 

On Thursday, members of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives questioned the President's large entourage, which reportedly included around 70 delegates.

Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas said that having too many in the delegation was "unacceptable" if their travel expenses came from the Filipinos' taxes.

Based on Malacañang’s announcement, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their son Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos joined the President’s trip.

Senator Mark Villar, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, his wife Tingog party-list Representative Yedda Marie Romualdez, and former president and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also accompanied the President. 

At least seven Cabinet secretaries and seven business tycoons were in the entourage.

According to Marcos, each of the delegates has an important role in the economic forum. He also said it was important to have a Cabinet member ready to respond to issues that may be raised by their counterparts.

“We have to be thorough because these chances are --- they last for two days, tapos na,” he said. “If you haven’t done it in two days, you haven’t done it. So that’s why we tried to make sure that whatever comes up, we’re ready to process it, we’re ready to negotiate, we’re ready to do what needs to be done”.

Asked about Romualdez and Villar’s roles in the global event, he said: “That’s easy to answer. For example, the Speaker needs to be here, and that also includes Senator Mark Villar, because we have to present members of the legislature because of all of these changes in policy that we are talking about."

“In the case of former President Arroyo, we’re lucky to have her onboard," he added.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri also defended the Philippine delegation to the WEF, calling the event a "coming out party of the Philippines" to highlight investment opportunities in the country.

During the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines had not attended many forums where it could promote investments in the country, Zubiri said.

"For six years, absent po tayo sa mga investment forum...So it's a coming out of sorts for the Philippines, highlighting the almost 6.8 percent growth rate, between six to seven percent growth rate. One of the best in Southeast Asia," he said. 

"I totally agree that we have to sell Philippines to the world, particularly marami pong mga negosyo palabas na ng China," he added.

Zubiri also said that the trip's expenses would be offset by investments brought to the country.

"The economic gains that would be given by it or attributed to it, ano naman siya mababayaran doon sa investments na papasok sa ating bansa. I think it was a good move," he said. —with Hana Bordey/LDF/VBL, GMA Integrated News