Marcos Defends Formula 1 Trip as 'Best Way to Drum Up Business'

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday addressed his trip over the weekend for the Singapore Grand Prix, saying that for him, Formula 1 was the "best way to drum up business."

Marcos, who went to Singapore just last month for a state visit, said his return to the city-state this weekend was "productive".

"They say that playing golf is the best way to drum up business, but I say it's Formula 1," Marcos said in his Facebook page.

"It was fulfilling to have been invited alongside several dignitaries and to have met new business friends who showed that they are ready and willing to invest in the Philippines," he added.

Malacañang on Monday confirmed that Marcos went to Singapore over the weekend as it shared a Facebook post from Singaporean Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng about his meeting with the Philippine president on the sidelines of the racing event.

"Naging produktibo ang pagdalaw sa Singapore ni Pangulong Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. Pinagpatibay niya ang mga pangunahing usapan sa huling state visit sa bayan na ito, at pinatuloy ang paghihikayat sa pag-invest sa bayang Pilipinas," Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said.

Marcos had drawn criticism over his attendance in the Singapore Grand Prix, with progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan saying it was "insensitive, unnecessary and irresponsible" as many Filipinos are still struggling from the aftermath of Super Typhoon Karding (Noru).

Marcos was in Singapore from Sept. 6 to 7 where he met with President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to discuss possible areas of cooperation between their country and the Philippines.

From: SPOT.ph