Marcos meets with US congressional delegation

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday met with a US congressional delegation to discuss ties between the two countries.

In a Facebook post, Marcos shared photos of the meeting, saying he looks forward to continuing the Philippines' partnership with the US " in the areas of renewable energy use, agricultural development, economic reform, and mitigation of drug problem."

The delegation, led by Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, earlier visited Taiwan—a move that prompted China to organize fresh military drills around the island, which it had been doing during and since US Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit earlier this month.

The US lawmakers also met Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and several legislators, according to Press Attaché Kanishka Gangopadhyay.

They were denied entry to the custodial facility were former senator Leila De Lima is detained because they had no permission from the court, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday.

The PNP earlier said that visitors are prohibited to have direct interaction with any person under police custody in the facility.

Markey and other senators, both Republican and Democrat, including Marco Rubio, Dick Durbin, Marsha Blackburn, Chris Coons, and Patrick Leahy, have been calling for De Lima's exoneration after the dropping of one case against her and after some key witnesses recanted their allegations against her. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News