Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 8) — Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.
Ramos-Horta will tackle various areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Timor-Leste, including technical, political, educational and economic partnerships.
The Presidential Communication Office (PCO) said Ramos-Horta will meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday at the Malacañang Palace.
The heads of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Justice, Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development and other agencies will be present during the meeting.
Timor-Leste joined the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit as an observer. During the summit, Marcos expressed support for its journey towards becoming an ASEAN member and democratic state.
“In the Philippines, you have a partner. We have always been supportive,” Marcos told Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak during the bilateral meeting in Indonesia last May.
ASEAN has adopted a roadmap for Timor-Leste’s full membership, following conditional approval for it to become its 11th member.
Marcos also thanked Timor-Leste for denying former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves’ request for political asylum. Teves is the alleged mastermind in the killing of Gov. Roel Degamo.
The House of Representatives on Aug. 16 expelled Teves for disorderly conduct and for violating the Code of Conduct of the lower chamber. Prior to his expulsion, the Anti-Terrorism Council designated him as a terrorist.
READ: Rep. Teves expelled from House
The government has yet to find the whereabouts of Teves.
RELATED: Brother of expelled congressman Teves files COC prior to cancellation of special polls
