Daven Tamayo

Arrangements for Marcos Jr. meeting with Trump still in ‘early stages’: DFA

Article (news)

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs said talks for a potential meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and US President Donald Trump are still in the initial phase.Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the details of the meeting have yet to be discussed.&quot;Nasa early stages lang iyon na siyempre nag-usap na sila and the possibility is there. So, kailangan pang pag-usapan iyong mga detalye kung kailan at saka kung ano iyong mga issues, etcetera,&quot; he said in an interview Friday, January 31.(It is still in the early stages and, of course, they have talked and the possibility is there. So the details on when it will be and what issues will be on the agenda still need to be discussed)Earlier, Marcos Jr. said he will meet with Trump to discuss his administration&#x27;s policy on immigration and other areas of cooperation.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/1/23/ph-embassy-puts-up-hotlines-for-filipinos-amid-trump-s-immigration-crackdown-1557">PH Embassy puts up hotlines amid Trump&#x27;s immigration crackdown </a></div>&quot;This is something that we have to work through and hopefully resolve. Because the Filipinos in the United States, especially, have really formed a very important part already of their workforce. So, we’ll see how we can influence the policy-making in terms of immigration,&quot; he said in a chance interview in Cebu on Thursday, January 30.<div>PH GOVERNMENT READY TO ASSIST FILIPINOS IN US</div>The DFA chief assured Filipinos that the Philippine government is ready to assist Filipinos in the US who may bee affected by the Trump administration&#x27;s new immigration policy.  &quot;Well, we will have to await kung ano iyong mga pronouncements ng US government. But I want to assure iyong our citizens, Filipinos who are in the United States that our embassies and consulates are ready to provide whatever assistance they may need in case kailangan nila ng assistance,&quot; he noted.Manalo clarified that the cases of 24 Filipinos who were recently deported due to alleged involvement in illegal activities were processed during the Biden administration.<div>&#x27;POLICIES TO CONTINUE&#x27;</div>The foreign affairs secretary also stressed that the Philippines will continue its policies on health, security and climate change mitigation despite the impending withdrawal of the US from the World Health Organization and the Paris climate accord.&quot;Of course, decision iyan ng United States. It’s their right if they wish to withdraw or join. As far as the Philippines is concerned, klaro naman ang posisyon natin, I spoke a bit about climate change, that will not change. And ganoon pa rin ang mga priorities natin,&quot; Manalo stated.&quot;And doon sa World Health, of course, importante sa atin ang World Health especially dahil sa mga potential health security issues, mga pandemic. So, we will continue our policies sa World Health. We will have to see kung anong effect, but the Philippines will continue its policies,&quot; he added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the potential meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and US President Donald Trump is still in its initial phase.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the potential meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and US President Donald Trump is still in its initial phase.