By Erika Mae P. Sinaking, Reporter

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. will travel to Singapore from Oct. 7 to 11 for a working visit aimed at courting investors in key industries and deepening economic ties, just as the city-state prepares to assume the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairmanship next year.

The trip, undertaken at the invitation of Singaporean Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, marks Mr. Marcos' second visit to the city-state this year, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday.

Forbes Conference Pitch

At the center of the visit is the 24th Forbes Global CEO Conference, where the Philippine leader is expected to present investment opportunities in digital technology, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, and healthcare to more than 470 business leaders.

"The President's participation in the Forbes Global CEO Conference, of which the Economic Development Board of Singapore serves as host sponsor, will provide an opportunity to promote Philippine economic priorities and engage potential investors," DFA Spokesperson Analyn D. Ratonel said in a statement.

Ms. Ratonel defended the President's foreign travel amid criticism over how often he leaves the country and the economic hardship at home, arguing such trips should be judged by their benefits rather than their costs alone. She said they aim to attract trade and investment, create jobs, and strengthen the country's security and diplomatic relationships.

Singapore was the largest source of foreign investment commitments approved by the Philippine Board of Investments in the first half of the year, accounting for P3.15 billion ($54 million), according to the DFA. Two-way trade between the two countries reached $9.27 billion in 2025. Taken together, the figures explain Singapore's standing in Manila's investment push: the city-state is at once the top source of approved investment commitments, a major two-way trade partner, and home to one of the largest Filipino communities abroad.

Energy and Nuclear Focus

Mr. Marcos will also tour the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute to learn about the city-state's work in nuclear research, safety, and regulation, as Manila studies nuclear power as part of its long-term energy plans. The Philippines has never operated a nuclear power plant, so the tour offers a firsthand look at how a neighboring state approaches research, safety, and regulatory oversight for the technology.

"The engagement will support the Philippines' long-term energy planning and strengthen prospects for future cooperation on nuclear science, safety, research and capacity-building," Ms. Ratonel said.

Grand Prix Diplomacy

Prime Minister Wong will host the President for dinner the sidelines of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix, which runs from Oct. 9 to 11. The DFA said the Singaporean leader personally invited Mr. Marcos to the race, where he may hold informal discussions with government and business leaders. Race weekends in the city-state routinely double as occasions for such sideline diplomacy.

"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," Ms. Ratonel said.

No formal bilateral meetings with other Singaporean officials have been arranged, the DFA said, and the agency declined to provide details on the President's other activities, including any engagement with the Filipino community.

Mr. Marcos will be accompanied by Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque, and Presidential Communications Secretary Dave M. Gomez.

ASEAN Handover Context

The visit comes as the Philippines nears the end of its term as ASEAN chairman, with Singapore set to take over the rotating chairmanship in 2027. The chairmanship rotates annually among the bloc's member states, and the incoming chair helps steer ASEAN's agenda for the year.

The DFA said Singapore, a non-claimant state in the South China Sea, takes part in ASEAN's negotiations with China on a code of conduct for the disputed waterway. Manila backs a substantive and effective code consistent with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

People-to-People Ties

About 220,000 Filipinos live and work in Singapore, roughly 60% of them professionals and skilled workers, with the remainder household service workers, according to the DFA. Singapore was the second-biggest source of remittances from overseas Filipino workers after the United States, sending $2.1 billion to the Philippines in 2025. That community also gives the Philippine Embassy a standing consular role in the city-state, one that has come into focus in recent weeks.

The trip builds on Mr. Marcos' July 14-16 visit to the city-state, during which he met investors in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and healthcare, and discussed nuclear cooperation with Temasek Foundation and Ayala Corp.

Consular Matters

Separately, the DFA said the Philippine Embassy in Singapore is monitoring the case of five Filipinos arrested over the alleged theft of about S$155,000 (P7.6 million) in cash from a man near Tang Plaza on Orchard Road on Sept. 25. The agency declined to comment on the merits of the case while it is before Singapore courts and urged Filipinos in the city-state to comply with local laws.

The DFA also said all 21 Filipino crew members aboard the Panama-flagged bulk carrier M/V First Margaux are safe and continuing their duties after the vessel collided with the Chinese fishing vessel Lu Qing Yuan Yu 108 in the Singapore Strait on Sept. 17.

Source: BusinessWorld Online