By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hopes to deepen Philippines’ bilateral ties with Indonesia as he congratulated Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto for his significant lead in the Indonesian presidential elections.
“My warmest congratulations to Defense Minister [Prabowo] on his commanding lead in the latest electoral count to be Indonesia’s next President,” President Marcos said in his official social media account on Tuesday.
The President added that the Philippines and its “close neighbor and partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)” will also be celebrating the 75th year of the two country’s diplomatic relations since its inception on Nov. 24, 1949.
The 72-year old Prabowo, also a former military general, is likely to assume outgoing President Joko Widodo’s position after leading in the latest electoral count against rivals Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo.
Indonesian polls started on Feb. 14 with official results to be announced in March. – avds
