Marcos in Singapore (again): A Forbes event… and an F1 Grand Prix - Rappler

Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives on July 27, 2026.

This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to visit neighboring Singapore yet again from October 7 to 11, upon the invitation of Prime Minister and finance chief Lawrence Wong. 

In a text briefing for the media, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Analyn Ratonel framed the visit as an “initiative of the [Philippines] to deepen ties with Singapore, expand economic engagement, and promote cooperation in sectors that would benefit the country.” 

Singapore is also set to take over chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after Manila. 

It’s the last event that sticks out. After all, Marcos has been criticized for attending the same event twice — in 2022, barely months into his term and again in 2023. His latest Singapore Grand Prix attendance happened days after a speaking engagement with the Milken Institute. 

Marcos has visited Singapore several times before, including the 2022 and 2023 visits that included a Grand Prix attendance.

This is how Ratonel explained Marcos’ expected attendance at the Singapore Grand Prix: “The President has been personally invited by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix. The Singapore Grand Prix brings together government leaders, business executives, and investors from around the world. It would provide an opportunity for informal engagements to complement his meetings focused on attracting investment and strengthening the Philippines’ partnerships.” 

Aside from Wong, there are no other planned meetings for Marcos in Singapore. “However, there may be opportunities for the President to engage with leaders and senior officials, not just from Singapore, but from other countries, as well as business executives, during the Singapore Grand Prix,” said Ratonel in the briefer for media. 

Marcos will be joined by Finance Secretary Frederick Go, Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, and acting Communications Secretary Dave Gomez. Ratonel did not say whether First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos would be part of the delegation, but she almost always joins the President in trips overseas. 

The Philippine President is said to be fond of attending the Singapore Grand Prix — even amid turbulent times in Philippine domestic politics, it turns out. 

His trip to Singapore coincides with the impeachment trial of erstwhile ally Vice President Sara Duterte which is at its arguably most controversial and contentious period — with the second-highest elected official of the land alleged of hiding her wealth and receiving money from the Chinese government through a business shared with her husband.

Marcos has distanced himself from these allegations, even as his alter-egos in the security and defense sector have called for further inquiries into allegations of financial ties between Duterte and Beijing. 

Ratonel, in the prepared Q&A for media, echoed previous statements by the President in defending the quick Singapore sojourn. 

“President Marcos has said that official foreign trips should be assessed based on their benefits to the country, not only on their cost. He has described these trips as investments that can help attract trade and investment, create jobs, strengthen security and diplomatic ties, and promote Philippine interests abroad,” she said. – Rappler.com