2 months ago
39
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Helen Flores - The Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 | 12:00am
Ralph Recto on September 2, 2025.
STAR / Jesse Bustos
MANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian have been designated as government caretakers during President Marcos’ trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Marcos’ visit reflects the accelerating momentum in bilateral relations with the Middle Eastern country, according to Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver.
Addressing climate change and boosting the economy are among Marcos’ priorities during his working visit.
The President will attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a major global forum that brings together world leaders and policymakers to address climate change, renewable energy and sustainable economic development.
Marcos is also scheduled to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, their second
engagement in 14 months.
Additionally, the Chief Executive will hold several business meetings and meet with the Filipino community during his visit to Abu Dhabi.
During the visit, the Philippines and the UAE are expected to sign several important agreements, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which Ver said has been under negotiation for years.
“We were one of the very first countries to be offered to conclude this agreement and finally, we’re doing it,” he told RTVM.
According to Ver, CEPA will expand cooperation in trade, services and investments, while providing the Philippines greater access to the wider Gulf Cooperation Council market, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, aside from the UAE.
Aside from the CEPA, a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation is also expected to be signed between the two countries.
Ver said UAE has “very highly” developed defense capabilities that the Philippines can benefit from.
On the civilian side, the ambassador said Manila and Abu Dhabi continues to collaborate on information sharing related to terrorism, transnational crime, illegal drugs and human trafficking.
Some of the emerging areas of cooperation include artificial intelligence, renewable energy and the digital economy – sectors where the Philippines has growing strengths and competitive advantages.
