A head of state, two vice presidents, a deputy prime minister and two foreign ministers are among the high-ranking officials sent by leaders of 11 countries to attend the inaugural of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday, Business Mirror learned from diplomatic sources.
Leading the powerhouse of distinguished foreign guests is Australian Governor-General David Hurley. As governor-general, he serves as the head of state of Australia being the representative of Queen Elizabeth II as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defense Force.
The two vice presidents who are attending the inauguration ceremony of Marcos are Wang Qishan of China and Võ Thị Ánh Xuân of Vietnam. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai is also coming. Pramudwinai is also the Thai foreign minister.
Japan and Malaysia are sending their foreign ministers — Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Dato Sri Saifuddin Abdullah respectively.
Singapore’s Dr. Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, is Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s special representative. Dr. Maliki is also the second minister for education and second minister for foreign affairs, .
United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson meanwhile designated his trade envoy and Minister of Parliament Richard Graham as his special envoy. Newly elected South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol tasked his close associate, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong and floor leader of the conservative People Power Party, to Marcos’ inauguration.
Lao PDR’s deputy foreign minister Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, who was once assigned in Manila as Lao’s ambassador, is expected to fly to Manila for the inaugural as well.
Earlier, White House has announced that President Biden is sending a seven-man delegation to Marcos’ inaugural, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
This brings to 11 the number of countries whose leaders are sending personal envoys to attend the inaugural of Marcos at the National Museum in Manila.
“We were very pleased to hear that special envoys from various countries will be coming over to witness the historic event – with thousands of personnel from the military, police and other law enforcement agencies going to be deployed,”According to Philippine Ambassador to Washington DC Jose Manuel “Babes” Romualdez wrote in his column.
Romualdez, who was recently re-appointed to head The Philippine Embassy Washington DC, had dinner with his cousin President-elect Marcos and incoming First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos last week during a reception that he hosted for US-Philippines Society.
“President Biden had considered sending Vice President Kamala Harris and even former president George Bush to lead the US delegation, but in the end, it was decided that it would be Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, who has often traveled to represent the US administration for important events abroad,” Romualdez revealed.
Chinese special envoy Wang is considered as one of the closest political allies of President Xi Jin Ping. Xi, Wang and Prime Minister Li Keqiang are the leading figures in China’s foreign relations.
Meanwhile, aside from attending the inaugural, the Japanese Foreign Minister is also holding meetings with Marcos, incoming Vice President Sara Duterte.
Hayashi told reporters in Tokyo that Japan sees the Philippines as a “strategic partner sharing basic values and strategic interests.”
“We will make sure of our cooperation toward the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and further strengthen bilateral relations,” Kyodo news agency quoted Hayashi as saying.
Hayashi will be the first Japanese foreign minister to attend a Philippine presidential inauguration since 2004 when Yoriko Kawaguchi was among the dignitaries.
Image credits: Roy Domingo
