PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left for the United States on Sunday for a working visit that will include addressing a special session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The chartered flight carrying the president and his lean delegation, which include first lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos, Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., and Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez took off from the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at 10:22 a.m.
The agenda of Marcos’ four-day trip to New York includes his attendance at the opening of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations Headquarters, where he will highlight the Philippines’ commitment to promoting, advancing and protecting the rights and well-being of women and girls.
The chief executive is also expected to speak at the special session of the UNGA where he will rally for additional support for the country’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC) for 2027 to 2028.
By getting a seat in the council, the Philippines will have a voice in the discussions concerning global safety and security, Malacañang had said.
The Philippines previously served as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in 1957, 1963, 1980–1981, and 2004–2005.
The president is likewise scheduled to meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss the situation in the Middle East and reiterate the importance of promoting peace and supporting the protection of civilians affected by the crisis in the region.
Lazaro said the UN provided the most appropriate platform for the president to call for peace in the Middle East and the protection of civilians, including overseas Filipinos in the region.
This is Marcos’ sixth visit to the US since 2022, becoming the country that he has visited most during his administration.
The president’s last visit to the US was in July 2025, meeting with President Donald Trump.
But Lazaro said Marcos would not meet with Trump and other state leaders during his visit to the US this week.
