Marcos to skip UN General Assembly, envoy says

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will represent the Philippines if bilateral talks with China push through at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this month in New York.

That's according to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez after he was asked who will represent Manila at the UNGA.

“The President has decided to limit his international trips up to the end of the year,” Romualdez told GMA News Online.

The Presidential Communications Office also confirmed to Palace reporters that Marcos will not attend the UNGA.

According to PCO Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez, Manalo will articulate the country’s  responses to global challenges.

This should be resolved within the framework of peace and cooperation enshrined in the UN Charter, Chavez said.

In September 2022, Marcos was the first leader from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who delivered a statement at the high level general debate, which is significant for world leaders so that they could lay out the priorities of their respective administrations.

In 2023, Manalo also represented the Philippine president.

The Philippines is among the 20 countries seeking to talk with China at the sidelines of the UNGA, earlier reports said.

Romualdez said Manila's agenda is to "follow up" on lowering tension in the West Philippine Sea as the government continues its diplomatic efforts to address regional issues.

The envoy added that the government aims to send China a message that aside from the Philippines, other countries also disapprove of the Asian Superpower’s "dangerous actions" in the region.

China has since ignored the arbitral ruling invalidating its massive claim in the region. It continues its hostile actions in the WPS, endangering the lives of Filipino servicemen and fisherfolk.

Ever since, the government has been filing diplomatic protests against China’s illegal actions.

Marcos, however, once said the Philippines has to do more than just lodging these protests against Beijing. --VAL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News