Toast Speech by President Halimah Yacob at State Lunch in Honour of President of the Republic of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr

Your Excellency Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.,

President of the Republic of the Philippines

First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very warm welcome to President Marcos Jr., the First Lady, and the Philippine delegation. It is my pleasure to host President Marcos Jr. on your first State Visit to Singapore so early in your term. I am delighted to reciprocate the gracious and warm hospitality shown to me during my State Visit to the Philippines in 2019.

46 years ago, Singapore welcomed another distinguished visitor from the Philippines, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., together with his wife, First Lady Imelda Marcos. During their State Visit in January 1976, they toured our residential housing estate in Jurong Town and visited our shipyards. While Singapore’s landscape has undergone tremendous change in these intervening decades, the bonds of friendship between Singapore and the Philippines have not only endured, but grown even stronger, just like the tembusu tree that the late President Marcos Sr. planted at Jurong Hill Park, which continues to flourish and is a majestic sight to behold today. It is our great pleasure to be able to host another President Marcos here this afternoon. 

The partnership between Singapore and the Philippines has grown from strength to strength. Our two countries enjoy a deep, multifaceted relationship underpinned by strong economic links and close people-to-people ties. In 2019, we celebrated the 50^th anniversary of our diplomatic relations with a series of commemorative activities. One of these was the 10-year loan of two critically endangered Philippine Eagles to Singapore as part of a research and breeding programme. I am happy to report that the Philippine eagles, Geo and Sam, have adapted well and are thriving in Singapore.

Our close cooperation during times of crisis is a further testament to the strength and resilience of our partnership. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we extended mutual support by contributing medical supplies and helping each other’s nationals return home safely. It is only through such Bayanihan spirit that we have managed to weather this crisis together and emerge stronger. 

Our robust economic cooperation has grown in tandem with our strong political ties. Singapore is not only the top foreign investor in the Philippines in 2021, but also the Philippines’ biggest trading partner in ASEAN. Singapore companies are keen to enter the growing Philippine market in areas such as digital solutions and consumer goods. President Marcos Jr. and I had a fruitful exchange of views on our substantive cooperation and agreed there is even more scope to expand our partnership. We discussed our shared interests in emerging issues such as sustainability and food security during our meeting this morning. Earlier, Singapore and the Philippines exchanged bilateral agreements in areas ranging from digital cooperation, data privacy and the deployment of healthcare workers, to counter-terrorism, water collaboration and urban development. These are key areas that we need to work closely together in order to future-proof our economies.

People-to-people relations have been the core of our relationship. Singapore is a familiar place to many Filipinos, who have relatives and friends working or studying here. We are home to a dynamic and thriving Filipino community of over 200,000 people. They form an important part of our diverse social fabric. I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to the Filipino frontline personnel in Singapore, who stood in solidarity with us and played a critical role in our fight against COVID-19. Their dedication and courage are an inspiration to all of us. I am heartened that the reopening of borders has allowed many Filipinos to return home to reunite with their families and loved ones. I look forward to the increased frequency of social, education and cultural exchanges between our two peoples.

The partnership between Singapore and the Philippines remains as vital as ever amidst the global challenges today. In 1976, President Marcos Sr.’s visit took place a month before the five founding members of ASEAN met in Bali, Indonesia for the 1^st ASEAN Summit and to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. Both Singapore and the Philippines have a shared commitment to ASEAN and the region’s peace and prosperity. The future of the region will depend on how we respond to the opportunities and challenges together. I am confident that under President Marcos Jr.’s leadership, we will continue to work closely to elevate our relationship to even greater heights.

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

May I now invite you to rise and join me in a toast:

To the continued good health and success of His Excellency President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos;

To the peace, progress, and prosperity of the people of the Philippines; and

To the enduring friendship between Singapore and the Philippines.

Mabuhay! Thank you.