President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may visit Indonesia or Singapore for his first overseas trip, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Romualdez said in a radio interview.
He said this was in keeping with the tradition of choosing any Southeast Asian nation for the first presidential foreign trip.
A separate report by Vera Files quoting a diplomatic source said Indonesia will be Marcos’ debut in the international scene, likely on Sept. 5.
“Based on his proposed visits, he will likely visit Indonesia first. The President is looking at his schedule as to where he will go but definitely it will be before he goes to New York,” Romualdez said.
Singapore, he said is being considered because it also extended its invitation for Marcos to do a state visit.
“DFA is just planning the appropriate time for him to be able to visit these two ASEAN countries,” Romualdez added but did not give a timeline.
Marcos will then go to New York to attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Marcos is scheduled to address the UNGA on Sept. 20.