Marcos arrives in Canberra to address Australian Parliament

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. arrived at the Royal Australian Air Force Fairbairn in Canberra, Australia on Wednesday afternoon (PH time).

The Presidential Communications Office said the plane carrying the President landed at 7:20 p.m. local time (4:11 pm in Manila). He was invited by Governor-General David Hurley.

The President will be the first Filipino leader to address the Australian Parliament, according to the PCO.

President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos were welcomed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon.

Albanese will host a dinner for Marcos and the First Lady.

Welcome to Australia, President of the Philippines @bongbongmarcos and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos. ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/eAOYs3IwiB

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) February 28, 2024

Marcos is expected to speak on his vision for the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Australia during his address before the Parliament.

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the South China Sea issue would be among the topics which will be tackled at the sidelines of his parliamentary address.

Marcos will also meet with Australian senior officials to discuss defense and security, trade, investments, people-to-people exchanges, multilateral cooperation, and regional issues. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News