Marcos to meet with British PM on the sidelines of King Charles III coronation

WASHINGTON — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Thursday (Washington time) he would meet with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the sidelines of the coronation of King Charles III.

Speaking to reporters, Marcos said he would be flying to the UK to attend the coronation on May 6, noting that he knew the monarch. He also said he would discuss with the Prime Minister the trade and relations between the Philippines and the UK.

"Sabi ko naman ay palagay ko dahil magkakilala kami dapat naman ay napakalaking bagay na siyang kokoranahan bilang hari ng United Kingdom, ay dapat makapag-attend na ako," Marcos said.

[Since I know him, it would be good if I would be there during his coronation.]

"Makikipagkita ako sa kanilang bagong Prime Minister, Prime Minister Sunak upang makapag-usap kami kung mayroon bang pagbabago sa kanyang pag-iisip sa pagka --- pag-partner ng UK at saka ng Pilipinas," he said.

[I will be meeting with their new Prime Minister and discuss with him the Philippines' partnership with the UK.]

"Sa palagay ko ay ganoon din ang sasabihin niya na dapat papatibayin natin. At naghihingalo, hirap na hirap ang ekonomiya ng UK so baka isang bagay ‘yun na pag-uusapan namin kung papaano mag-trade, kung papaano dagdagan…" Marcos added.

[I think he would say the same ... with UK's economy not doing good ... so I think we will discuss how to trade.]

Marcos said they could possibly discuss Filipino healthcare workers as they gain attention amid the pandemic because of their good service.

"We will maintain the same relationship, it has been a very --- a relationship very advantageous to all parties involved so I think that we will stay the course and continue to deal with each other in very similar way that we have done before," Marcos said.

Marcos also said other world leaders have asked to have casual conversations with him. He did not, however, identify them.

"So very casual lang ito, very informal pero huwag natin mamaliitin ‘yang mga ganyang klaseng meeting. Dahil kung minsan, ‘yung hindi mo aakalain mangyayari, may nangyayari na napaka-importante pala," Marcos said.

[It will be very casual, very informal, But let us not belittle those kind of meetings. Sometimes, important things happen there.] 

Marcos said the plane that would carry him will land at Gatwick Airport.

"Usually, hindi sa Gatwick ang pinupuntahan ngunit ngayon ay pupuntahan ko ‘yung Gatwick dahil titingnan ko ‘yung operation ng kanilang airport kung bagay ba ito --- ‘yung mga lessons learned nila, ‘yung mga ginagawa nila, kung best practices ‘yan na puwede nating dalhin sa Pilipinas," he said.

Marcos and First Lady Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos have accepted the invitation of the Master of the Household, upon command of His Majesty, to a reception at the Buckingham Palace on May 5 ahead of the coronation of their Majesties.

Charles became king when his mother Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8.

He also took over as head of state of 14 Commonwealth countries, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The monarch's wife, Queen Consort Camilla, 75, will also be crowned on that day. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News