President Marcos commits to boost Philippines ties with Indonesia

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday reaffirmed the Philippines’ intention to enhance its relations with Southeast Asian neighbor Indonesia, as he greeted Jakarta’s two highest officials on their inauguration.

Marcos was one of the foreign leaders who witnessed the inauguration of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka in Jakarta.

It was Marcos’ 30th foreign trip since assuming the presidency in 2022. He was accompanied by First Lady Liza Marcos.

The two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations.

“I congratulate President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka on their inauguration in Jakarta today,” Marcos said in a Facebook post yesterday.

The President described Indonesia, a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, as one of the Philippines’ long-standing partners and closest friends in the region.

“I reaffirm our nation’s desire to further strengthen our bilateral ties with Indonesia on this momentous occasion and in lieu of our diplomatic relations’ 75th anniversary in November,” Marcos said.

It was Marcos’ fourth visit to Indonesia since becoming president.

In a statement issued last Saturday, the Presidential Communications Office said Marcos’ attendance in the inauguration signifies the Philippines’ “sincere commitment to further expand and deepen bilateral relations.”

Last month, Marcos and Prabowo met in Malacañang and talked about the relationship between their countries. During the meeting, Marcos said the visit of the newly elected Indonesian leader was a sign of the growing relationship between Manila and Jakarta. Prabowo also committed to strengthen the close relationship between the two countries. 

In 2022, Marcos undertook a state visit to Indonesia, his first overseas trip as president. It was reciprocated by then Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who had an official visit to the Philippines last January.