Marcos 'satisfied' with trip to Switzerland

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday said he was "satisfied" with the trip to Davos, where he attended this year's World Economic Forum (WEF).

Speaking before the Filipino community in Zurich,  Marcos Jr. said the Philippine delegation was able "to do most if not all the things" they intended to accomplish at the annual meeting of global business and political leaders.

"We can say we are satisfied that we were able to do most if not all the things we want to do while we were here in Davos," Marcos said in his speech.

Marcos said it was just the "start", adding there was a need for the Philippines to open the "lines of communication" with other countries.

"Natutuwa naman kami sa dalawang araw na nandito kami, marami naman talaga kaming nakausap, marami kaming nasimulan," Marcos said.

"Lahat naman ito ay simula lamang. Ngunit kailangan buksan ang tinatawag na lines of communication," he added.

During his opening remarks at the WEF,  the President introduced the proposed Maharlika wealth fund which he said is among his administration's measures to diversify the Philippines' financial portfolio.

Marcos met the Filipino community at a gathering in Zurich to cap off his four-day work trip in the Alpine country.

He was joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, his son Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, several officials including Migrant Secretary Susan Ople, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Deputy Sepaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

'When's the next chance?'

In his interview with members of the Philippine media as he wrapped up the trip, Marcos said the Philippines' participation in the WEF was important to seal deals and enhance partnerships with economic leaders. 

Marcos was asked to comment on criticisms over the size of the Philippine delegation to Switzerland.

"When is the next chance we will get to speak to CEOs of top Fortune 100 companies in the period of two days? So whoever we get to talk to, kailangan nandoon ‘yung [Cabinet] secretary na pwede niyang sagutin, pwede niyang kausapin," Marcos told members of the Philippine press.

Marcos indicated that the presence of lawmakers such as Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senator Mark Villar was "an important part of what we are doing."

"Let’s say you talk to a.potential investor, sasabihin niya ‘yung batas ninyo hindi maganda eh. Kami naiipit. And it’s not a good law, et cetera, et cetera. So at least we have the legislators here who can say: 'Well, we can do something about it;' or 'No, that is important to us that we maintain it, et cetera, et cetera,'" Marcos said,.

"Because legislation is an important part of what we are doing. So there's always a legislator," he added. —Sundy Locus and JP Soriano/NB, GMA Integrated News