President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been invited to attend the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix during his five-day working visit to the city-state, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed that Marcos received an invitation to the race but said it remains unclear whether the President will attend.
“Nandiyan iyong invitation, totoo naman po iyan. At hindi naman ito ikinakaila at hindi ito itinatago,” Castro told reporters in Singapore.
She said the President himself should announce if he decides to attend the event.
The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix is scheduled from October 9 to 11 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, with the main race set for Sunday.
Castro defended the possibility of Marcos attending the event, saying it would not necessarily conflict with the purpose of his Singapore trip, which primarily focuses on investments and trade.
She also noted that the President had been invited by Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, adding that declining an invitation from a foreign leader could also be viewed negatively.
The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said Wong would host Marcos to dinner and had invited him to a private engagement on the sidelines of the Grand Prix.
Marcos is in Singapore from October 7 to 11 for his second working visit to the country this year.
During the trip, he is scheduled to attend the 24th Forbes Global CEO Conference, where he is expected to promote investment opportunities in the Philippines before business leaders from Singapore and other countries.
He will also visit the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute to learn about the city-state’s experience in nuclear technology, research, saf
