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Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
October 7, 2026 | 12:00am
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang on February 23, 2026.
PPA pool photos by Niño Jesus Orbeta
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos will undertake a five-day working visit to Singapore that will include watching the Formula One Grand Prix.
Malacañang said the visit aims to discuss ways to expand bilateral ties, promote the Philippines to investors and align the priorities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to make it more responsive to emerging realities.
The trip to Singapore from Oct. 7 to 11, to be made upon the invitation of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, will be Marcos’ fifth visit to the Southeast Asian country and his 47th overseas travel since becoming president in 2022.
“The President’s working visit to Singapore underscores the strong relations between the Philippines and Singapore,” Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Analyn Ratonel said in a statement issued yesterday.
Ratonel noted the two Southeast Asian countries cooperate across a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, defense and people-to-people ties. The cooperation is also expanding into emerging fields like digital technology, green economy, smart infrastructure, AI, renewable energy and health care, she added.
According to Ratonel, the working visit is timely as it will come ahead of the turnover of the ASEAN chairmanship to Singapore, which she described as a “valued partner” in keeping the regional bloc cohesive and responsive to regional developments.
“It provides an opportunity to further deepen coordination with Singapore and align priorities as the country prepares to assume the ASEAN chairmanship,” the foreign affairs official said.
“We work with (Singapore) on economic integration, maritime cooperation and responses to transnational threats. We also value its consistent support for ASEAN centrality, international law and peaceful dialogue,” Ratonel added.
Marcos will attend the 24th Forbes Global CEO Conference to interact with global business and thought leaders. During the event, Marcos will participate in the “In Conversation” session and will have a one-by-one dialogue with Forbes Media chairman and editor-in-chief Steve Forbes.
“This will be an opportunity for him to showcase the investment and economic priorities in the Philippines’ key growth sectors,” Ratonel said.
Marcos will visit the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute to learn about the Southeast Asian country’s expertise in nuclear technology and safety and will attend a dinner hosted by Wong on the sidelines of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix 2026.
“The President has been personally invited by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix. The Singapore Grand Prix brings together government leaders, business executives and investors from around the world,” Ratonel said. “It would provide an opportunity for informal engagements to complement his meetings focused on attracting investment and strengthening the Philippines’ partnerships.”
The officials who will accompany Marcos in the trip include Finance Secretary Frederick Go, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque and Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez.
Singapore is one of the Philippines’ top trading partners and investors. Two-way trade with Singapore amounted to $9.27 billion last year. Singapore also hosts around 220,000 Filipinos, the 10th largest globally. The Southeast Asian country is also the second largest source of overseas Filipino workers’ remittances, after the US, with $2.098 billion in 2025.
