Camille Naredo

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leaves for Canada on July 1, 2026 at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Handout/PCO

Article (news)

MARCOS

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782920991430P-JOR09950.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leaves for Canada on July 1, 2026 at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Handout/PCO"/>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leaves for Canada on July 1, 2026 at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Handout/PCO</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday departed the Philippines for a four-day official visit to Canada, leaving behind a mammoth rally that Iglesia ni Cristo members launched to protest looming plunder charges against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, a member of their religious organization.The rally has disrupted traffic on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue, Metro Manila&#x27;s main thoroughfare.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/1/qc-puts-on-hold-inc-rally-permit-for-thursday-after-complaint-1911">READ: QC withdraws permit for INC rally on Thursday</a></div>&quot;It may not be known to many, but Canada has been consistent and steadfast in its statements of support for the Philippines&#x27; assertion of its sovereignty and sovereign rights, especially in the midst of the ongoing issues we are facing in the West Philippine Sea,&quot; the President said in his departure speech at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.&quot;Canada&#x27;s consistent support, both bilaterally and multilaterally, reflects our shared interest in upholding a rules-based international order, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award,&quot; he said.&quot;It is thus imperative that we further strengthen this connection with our longstanding friend and partner, as we navigate the shared challenges we face as Pacific nations,&quot; he added.Malacañang earlier defended the President&#x27;s decision to leave the country, saying that unfounded talk about a looming destabilization would not stop the Chief Executive from carrying on with his work.&quot;Kasi matagal na rin po itong naka-schedule at kailangan din po niyang magtrabaho,&quot; Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing hours before the President&#x27;s departure.&quot;Hindi po kasi siya puwedeng pahintuin lamang ng mga bulung-bulungan na mayroong lulusob sa Malacañang, na mayroong gagawa ng destabilization,&quot; she said.&quot;Hindi po magpapahinto ang Pangulo sa kaniyang pagtatrabaho para sa taumbayan pero iginagalang natin ang liderato ng INC at hindi tayo naniniwala na sila ang magiging nasa likod ng destabilization,&quot; she said.Questions if the trip will push through surfaced on Tuesday after the President <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/30/marcos-cancels-engagements-to-monitor-edsa-rally-0935">cancelled his attendance in two morning events</a> to monitor the illegal assembly of thousands of protesters along EDSA, the busiest thoroughfare in Metro Manila. <div> </div><div>MARCOS EYES PH-CANADA FREE TRADE DEAL<img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782920954531P-JOR09709.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. makes a pre-departure speech before flying to Canada on July 1, 2026 at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Handout/PCO"/>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. makes a pre-departure speech before flying to Canada on July 1, 2026 at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Handout/PCO</div>The Philippines and Canada will discuss &quot;negotiations for the Philippines-Canada Free Trade Agreement,  alongside our negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement,&quot; Marcos said, underscoring that the agreement between Manila and Ottawa &quot;is very much in the works right now.&quot;The meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will also include &quot;discussions to lay the broad strokes of a Plan of Action&quot; which is expected to &quot;shape the next phase of our bilateral relations and ensure the sustained and dynamic growth of our partnership in the years to come,&quot; the Filipino leader said.&quot;I intend to work with Prime Minister Carney in adapting to shifting global realities, addressing shared challenges, and building capacities for a future-ready partnership,&quot; he said.&quot;I view Canada&#x27;s increasing role in the Indo-Pacific as a positive force for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,&quot; he said.&quot;I will also invite Canada to play a more proactive role while the region addresses the impact of the situation in the Middle East.&quot;Key sectors that are slated to benefit from Marcos&#x27; trip to Canada include mining, information technology and business process management, nuclear energy, telecommunications, cyber technology and financial services among others.The President will also meet Filipinos in British Columbia.&quot;Mayroon pong humigit-kumulang na isang milyong Pilipino sa Canada ngayon. They are well-respected and sought after for their skills, professionalism, and dedication,&quot; he said.&quot;Dito sa Pilipinas, patuloy silang nakikilahok sa  pagpapaunlad ng ating ekonomiya at pagpapatatag ng ating demokrasya, sa kabila ng ilang taong pagkakawalay sa bayan,&quot; he said. &quot;I most certainly look forward to reconnecting with them.&quot;Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III and Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino have been designated as the Philippines&#x27; caretakers until Marcos returns on July 5.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday departed the Philippines for a 4-day official visit to Canada, leaving behind a days-long rally against the potential arrest of a senator that disrupted public services in the capital region.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday departed the Philippines for a 4-day official visit to Canada, leaving behind a days-long rally against the potential arrest of a senator that disrupted public services in the capital region.

Marcos departs for Canada as INC rally continues on EDSA

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Marcos departs for Canada as INC rally continues on EDSA

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 01, 2026 08:06 PM PHT

|

Updated July 02, 2026 12:01 PM PHT

Read More:

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Canada

diplomacy

politics

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