MANILA, Philippines–The Philippines and Malaysia have strengthened their ties following a state visit by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Kuala Lumpur, with Malaysian leaders pledging up to $285 million in investments in the Philippines.
The investments are expected to create more than 100,000 jobs and livelihood opportunities for Filipinos, according to Speaker of the House Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Romualdez said that Marcos was a hit among top Malaysian businessmen they met to promote the Philippines as an ideal investment hub during the three-day state visit.
“They find him so statesman-like, and even the big businessmen here they find him very humble, approachable, and very open,” Romualdez said.
In addition to the investment pledges, Romualdez said that Marcos’ state visit served to further strengthen the close personal ties he has with Malaysia’s current leaders and the long-standing partnership between the two countries.
“The relations between the two countries is very warm,” Romualdez said, noting that Marcos is a close personal friend not only of the Malaysia’s King, Al-Sultan Abdullah and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Romualdez said Pres. Marcos has “definitely caught the attention of the international community” particularly in the ASEAN region.
(This article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by an editor.)