PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to talk about COVID-19 pandemic recovery when he speaks at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on September 20, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babes” Romualdez said on Monday.

Interviewed by ANC’s Headstart, Romualdez said he and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo recommended to the President to attend the UNGA as many leaders have asked to have a meeting with him and are very eager to listen to him.

“We have recommended to him — Secretary Enrique Manalo recommended to him that we attend the United Nations General Assembly,” Romualdez said.

The Ambassador said Marcos has been preparing for his engagement and has created an outline for his speech.

“He has already put together a sketch or an outline for his speech. This is very important for us. I think we’re ready to sort of tell the world that we’re here, we’re going to play a major role in the global community,” Romualdez said.

“More importantly, which is really part of what President Marcos has always said, the recovery from the pandemic is not going to be done by one country alone but by the world. That probably will be his message at the United Nations,” he added.

On the issue of the West Philippine Sea, Romualdez said that it is possible that the President will talk about the issue.

“I think that that’s probably going to be mentioned generally, I suppose because he’s getting a lot of — he normally asks Cabinet secretaries to give him inputs on what to say. I’m sure that’s probably one part of it because it involves our security,” he said.

“But more importantly, the clear message that we would like to give to the world that we are part of a community that would like to contribute to world peace and economic prosperity for everyone,” he added.

The 77th session of the UNGA will open on September 13 and the first day of the high-level general debate will be on the 20th.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Cristina Lee-Pisco