President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. called the former president and now House Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo his “secret weapon” during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.
Marcos made this remark in his speech before the Filipino Community in Thailand.
“Sinasabi kong secret weapon dahil ako ang baguhan dito. Ako ‘yung bagong naging leader. Kaya’t kapag papasok kami sa meeting at makita si GMA, ay ‘eto my old, my good friend.’ Madali na lang ‘yung usapan,” he said.
Arroyo, who also attended this year’s APEC Summit, accompanied Marcos in his bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the APEC Summit.
Marcos earlier shared that Arroyo “helped” in toning down the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Martin Romualdez earlier called Arroyo a “big asset” for the Philippines.
“Her reputation, her track record needs no introduction to anyone, you know. Her advice, counsel to our President Marcos right now is invaluable,” Romualdez earlier said during an interview with the media.
“President Marcos respects PGMA a lot. She’s very experienced,” he added.
Marcos arrived in the country last Saturday, Nov. 19, and declared his participation in the APEC Summit as “useful” and “productive.”