Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s possible attendance at the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix would cost the government “almost no expense” because he was invited by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, the Philippine ambassador said Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Medardo Macaraig made the clarification after Malacañang was asked whether taxpayers would shoulder expenses related to Marcos’ attendance at the race.
“Imbitasyon niya ni Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. So ano iyan, siyempre, wala tayong halos gastos diyan,” he said.
[Translation: He was invited by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. So, of course, we would have almost no expenses for that.]
Macaraig said Marcos would not have to pay for a ticket should he attend the event.
“Kung talagang pupunta siya roon, of course, wala siyang babayarang ticket or iyong mga ganoong sinasabi mo, wala siguro,” he said. Pasted markdown
[Translation: If he does attend, of course, he would not have to pay for a ticket or things like that, probably none.]
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro earlier defended Marcos’ possible F1 attendance amid criticism from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan president Renato Reyes, who called it insensitive as the country grapples with 7.2% inflation, higher fuel prices, and a strong El Niño.
Castro said critics should focus on the purpose of the president’s working visit to Singapore, including his participation in the Forbes Global CEO Conference to promote investment opportunities in the Philippines.
“So huwag silang tumutok kung a-attend man ang Pangulo sa F1 Grand Prix. Ang tutukan nila kung ano ang gagawin ng Pangulo dito para sa ating bayan at para sa ating mga kababayan,” Castro said.
[Translation: They should not focus on whether the president will attend the F1 Grand Prix. They should focus on what the President will do here for our country and our fellow Filipinos.]
Castro also argued that relationships with investors and foreign leaders are not built solely through formal meetings.
She cited golf as an example of an informal setting where businesspeople can develop relationships that may eventually lead to deals.
“Hindi ibig sabihin kung pupunta man at manunood ang pangulo sa imbitasyon ng gobyerno ng pamahalaan sa F1 Grand Prix, hindi nangangahulugan na tatalikuran ng Pangulo ang kanyang trabaho sa paghihikayat sa mga investors na mamuhunan sa bansa,” Castro said.
[Translation: If the President attends and watches the F1 Grand Prix upon the government’s invitation, it does not mean he is abandoning his work of encouraging investors to invest in the country.]
Macaraig said informal events could also provide opportunities to engage business and government leaders.
“Some opportunities happen because of those things. Just simply being there already presents opportunities,” he said.
Marcos is in Singapore until Oct. 11 for a working visit that includes the Forbes Global CEO Conference, a meeting with Wong and a visit to the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute.
