Marcos back in Philippines from state visit to Australia

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday night arrived in Manila from his state visit to Canberra in Australia.

Presidential Communications Office chief Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the President arrived at 8:30 p.m.

“Australia remains, and will continue to be, one of our closest friends. In the spirit of bayanihan and mateship, we shall forge ahead in fully maximizing the potentials and the gains from this Strategic Partnership between our two forward-looking, law-abiding maritime states,” Marcos said in his arrival statement.

The chief executive said the visit was a significant step in realizing the opportunities and potential set forth under the framework of the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Australia.

The Philippines elevated its bilateral relationship with Australia from comprehensive to a Strategic Partnership during the visit of  Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the Philippines in September last year.

“Following the visit of Prime Minister Albanese to our country last September, we have seen an increased tempo in bilateral engagements in various areas of cooperation, most prominent of which is our recent closer collaboration on defense and security,” Marcos said as he thanked Australia for its support in the South China Sea issue.

Meanwhile, the President also said he had met with Australia’s parliamentary leadership including their Senate President, House Speaker, and opposition leaders.

“Their support is instrumental in developing an enabling policy environment for the continuous upward orientation for our bilateral relations,” he said. 

The two countries also discussed trade, investment, and security relations and reiterated the signing of Philippines and Australia of three agreements on maritime cooperation, cyber and critical technology, and the implementation of competition laws.

“Concluding such MOUs will pave the way for more beneficial undertakings, information sharing and capacity-building foreseen to promote closer bilateral ties and contribute to regional development, peace and prosperity,” said Marcos.  —NB, GMA Integrated News