Marcos leaves for Singapore on 5-day working visit; no mention of F1 attendance
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks before members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) and answers queries on various national and international issues during FOCAP’s Presidential Luncheon at a hotel in Manila on August 14, 2026. Noel B. Pabalate, PPA PoolSINGAPORE — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left the Philippines on Wednesday night for a working visit to Singapore from Oct. 7 to 11, 2026.
The aircraft carrying the president departed Manila at 8:10 p.m.
In a recorded video message upon his departure, Marcos Jr. laid out his official activities during his five-day working visit, including his meeting with the Singaporean Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Lawrence Wong, to “discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.”
The president will also attend the 24th Forbes Global CEO Conference, where he said he will “present the opportunities that the Philippines offers in digital technology, AI and advanced manufacturing” before global business leaders and investors.
“I will also touch on infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and other sectors that will drive our country’s continued transformation,” he added.
The chief executive noted that the country “must also prepare for the economy that we are building,” saying that AI, data centers, advanced manufacturing and other emerging industries “will require greater amounts of reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy.”
Marcos Jr. also took note of his visit to the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute upon the invitation of the Temasek Foundation and Ayala Corporation, in a bid to gather insights from Singapore’s experience in nuclear technology and safety.
“The Philippines must continue to examine all viable options for our long-term energy security, while developing the knowledge and capabilities needed to make sound decisions for our future,” he said.
The objective, Marcos Jr. said, is not simply to attract investments today but “ensure that we have the elements that are needed to sustain them in the years ahead.”
“I return to Singapore with a clear purpose: to build on one of our most important economic partnerships and prepare our country for the industries of the future,” the chief executive stated.
Notably, Marcos Jr. did not mention the invitation extended to him by Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to attend the Formula 1 (F1) Singapore Grand Prix.
As of Wednesday night, Malacañang has yet to confirm Marcos’ attendance at the speedway event, which has been met with criticism for supposed ‘insensitivity’ as Filipinos grapple with the high prices of commodities.
Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo Macaraig earlier told the media that no taxpayer money will be spent on the president’s possible attendance at the racing event, being a guest of Wong’s.
He, along with the Palace, also emphasized the potential investment gains for the Philippines should Marcos Jr. attend the Grand Prix.
The F1 race is widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious and expensive motor racing competition, where global leaders, business executives, and investors come together.
Marcos had attended the speedway event twice—back in 2022 during an unannounced trip that drew backlash from critics as millions of Filipinos were reeling from the effects of Super Typhoon Karding, and in 2023 upon the invitation of then-Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.