By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday retorted the latest tirades made by his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte against his foreign trips, saying his packed work schedule abroad does not give him time for sightseeing.
In a press conference with the media on the sidelines of his three-day working visit to Germany, Marcos showed his schedule consisting of official activities including his meetings with foreign leaders and business representatives to counter allegations that he is just sightseeing or “making pasyal” in his overseas trips.
“Where’s the pasyal? Wala, you know, kasama kayo diyan, kasama ninyo kami. We don’t make pasyal. Even in the places that I know where I have spent a lot of time with, hindi ko na napupuntahan ‘yung mga dati kong pinupuntahan because we’re here to do this,” he told reporters.
In a recent prayer rally for the controversial religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy held at Liwasang Bonifacio, former president Duterte claimed that Marcos is just sightseeing during his foreign trips.
During his official trip in Berlin, Marcos secured at least US$4 billion or P220 billion worth of investment deals from eight business agreements with German companies.
His recent visit to Australia yielded US$1.53 billion (P86 billion) worth of investments from 12 business agreements across sectors including renewable energy, clean technology, and recycling solutions, housing, IT-BPM infrastructure, medical devices, and digital health services.
He also met with Australian business leaders and launched the expansion of the Victoria International Container Terminal, a subsidiary of the International Container Terminal Services Incorporated in the Philippines on the sidelines of his participation in the 50th ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.
The President also secured an investment pledge with VinGroup Company in electric vehicle battery production in the country during his January visit in Vietnam.
According to the Department of Trade and Investment, Marcos’ foreign trips have resulted in a total of US$72.2 billion worth of investments at different stages, comprising 148 projects as of December 2023.
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Meanwhile, the Chief Executive also downplayed Duterte’s criticisms on Charter Change, adding that the former president’s conflicting remarks are confusing.
He said he has to examine Duterte’s comment, knowing his predecessor has been inconsistent with his statements.
“Na-co-confuse ako kay PRRD papalit-palit eh,” Marcos told reporters.
“So, we will, tingnan ko muna kung ano ba talaga ang sinabi niya para maintindihan ko. I think, hindi ko talaga naintindihan kasi parang naiiba bawat salita niya iba. So I will try to make sense of it,” he added.
However, Marcos clarified that he does not have any issues with the former chief executive as he knows how to handle personal issues, as well as other issues related to his work.
“So, like I told you many times before, hindi ako namemersonal. Para sa akin, hindi naman madali, pero nahihiwalay ko ‘yung trabaho at saka ‘yung personal. So, I don’t see a problem there,” he said.
Marcos also extended his birthday greetings to Duterte, who will turn 79 years old on March 28.
“Well, yes. We will, of course, wish him a happy birthday, and many happy returns. At talaga namang that is, alam mo naman tayong mga Pilipino ginagalang natin ‘yung mga very important occasions na ganiyan,” he added. – avds
