Over the weekend, Philippine President Bongbong Marcos paid a surprise visit to the Lucky Plaza Mall in Singapore, a well-known gathering place for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) on their rest days.
The event was documented in a video shared on the president’s Facebook account, showcasing Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos warmly interacting with the Filipino community present at the mall.
The presidential visit to Singapore was scheduled to align with President Marcos’ attendance at the 10th Asian Conference and the finals of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix 2023, an event he also attended last year.
Despite the warm reception from some quarters, the trip has stirred controversy at home.
Numerous activist groups, including the National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates-Youth (NNARA-Youth), expressed dismay at the timing of the overseas visit, taking place during a period of considerable economic strain in the Philippines characterized by soaring prices and oil price surges.
NNARA-Youth criticized President Marcos, suggesting that he is mandated to live a “modest life,” a standard they argue the Marcos family is unfamiliar with due to their controversial past linked to allegations of ill-gotten wealth during the rule of President Marcos’ father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
The group also raised concerns about the president’s commitment to addressing pressing domestic issues, highlighting his repeated travels abroad amidst an economic crisis.
Despite the criticisms, President Marcos is scheduled to return to the Philippines on Monday, marking the end of his Singapore visit.