First lady to skip Marcos US visit - Palace

Metro Manila, Philippines - First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will not be joining President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on his official visit to the United States, Malacañang said Wednesday, July 16.

In a radio interview, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro gave a brief response when asked about Mrs. Marcos’s participation: “Hindi po [No, she’s not].”

She did not provide details..

While the first lady has often joined the president on major foreign trips, no explanation was given for her staying home this time.

Marcos will be in Washington, D.C. from July 20 to 22 for his first in-person meeting with US President Donald Trump since Trump’s return to the White House. The official visit comes amid rising trade tensions, with tariffs on Philippine agricultural exports reportedly among the top agenda items.

The administration is expected to press for the removal or reduction of recent US-imposed tariffs on select Philippine products, which local industries say are hurting exporters and farmers. Talks are also anticipated to touch on defense cooperation, immigration concerns, and regional security in the Indo-Pacific.