President Marcos extended congratulations to US President Donald Trump on his inauguration, along with other world leaders. He said he looks forward to working closely with the Trump administration, especially in maintaining stability and economic development in the region.
Trump, 78, was sworn in as president under the US Capitol Rotunda on Monday, with cold weather forcing the ceremony to be held indoors.
"Congratulations to POTUS @realdonaldtrump and the American people on another peaceful change of power in almost 250 years of their country's history. I look forward to working with you and your administration," Marcos said in X.
"The strong and long-term alliance of the Philippines and the US will continue to promote our shared goals of prosperity and security in the region," he added.
Trump is the second president in US history to return to power after losing the election, following Grover Cleveland in 1893.
Malacañang announced that the Philippine Ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez, will represent Marcos at Trump's inauguration.
According to Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez, the US invited the heads of diplomatic missions to represent their respective countries at the inauguration.
Trump, who served as US president from 2017 to 2021, was re-elected after defeating former US Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 elections.
Call of Cooperation
A week before Trump's inauguration, Marcos had a trilateral call with former US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru. They discussed maintaining the achievements from their first trilateral summit last year.
The three leaders agreed to intensify cooperation in the fields of economy, maritime, and technology, according to the PCO on January 13.
On the same date, the White House also said that Biden spoke with the leaders of the Philippines and Japan to promote continued cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Reaction of Officers
CIBAC Party-List Rep. also expressed. Bro. Eddie Villanueva congratulates Trump. According to him, "It is refreshing and inspiring to see a leader who recognizes the power of God sitting in the most powerful position in America."
Villanueva also emphasized support for Trump's policy of recognizing only two genders – male and female – in an official capacity. "President Trump's policies will restore social and family order in America," he said.
Security Concerns
Meanwhile, House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro and former ACT Teachers Rep expressed fear. Antonio Tinio on Trump's foreign policy statements.
"Trump's plans like the takeover of Greenland and the Panama Canal should serve as a wake-up call for the Philippine government," Castro said. He further added that the expanded US military presence through EDCA is a threat to the country's sovereignty.
Tinio also said that, "The Philippines should not allow itself to be the target of US military operations in the Asia-Pacific region."
Support for Undocumented Filipinos
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is promoting the creation of an inter-agency body that will strengthen coordination in helping undocumented Filipinos in the US who may be deported under the Trump administration.
