Malacañang defends F1 ‘invite’ to Marcos
SINGAPORE — Malacañang on Tuesday maintained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s five-day working visit to Singapore is aimed at boosting investments amid criticism over his anticipated attendance at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2026.
Marcos will be hosted at a dinner by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the motorsport event, the Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said in a statement.
The race is widely regarded as the world’s most prestigious and expensive motor racing competition where global leaders, business executives, and investors come together.
“Kasi ang punta po talaga ng pangulo rito ay para sa mga investments, sa mga trade na maaaring mahikayat pa ng pangulo para sa ating bansa, ‘yun naman talaga yung una niyang activity,” Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro told the media in a chance interview in Singapore on Tuesday, October 7.
“So kung magkakaroon man ng ganyang klaseng event, hindi naman siguro masama kung linggo naman,” she added.
While she did not confirm nor deny Marcos’ attendance, the Palace official argued that it would be unwise for the president to decline the invitation from a head of government.
“Kasi kung ang isang lider ang mag-i-invite sa pangulo, mas hindi magandang tingnan kung tatanggihan niya ito,” Castro stated when asked whether Marcos’ attendance will not give a ‘bad taste’ as the Philippines continues to battle economic hardships.
The DFA earlier noted that no formal bilateral meetings are being arranged for Marcos with other Singaporean leaders, but “there may be opportunities for the President to engage with leaders and senior officials, not just from Singapore, but from other countries, as well as business executives, during the Singapore Grand Prix.”
This is Marcos’ fifth Singapore visit and 47th foreign trip since he assumed the presidency.
He had attended the speedway event twice — back in 2022 during an unannounced trip which drew backlash from critics as millions of Filipinos were reeling from the effects of Super Typhoon Karding, and in 2023 upon the invite of then-Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.