Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez, confirmed that he will represent the Philippines at the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20 at the US Capitol in Washington, DC.
In a Viber message to GMA News Online, Romualdez clarified that, as a matter of protocol, no head of state, including Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was invited to the ceremony. “Only ambassadors represented in Washington are invited,” he explained.
President Marcos had previously congratulated Trump on his election victory during a phone call in November 2024. According to Marcos, Trump inquired about the health of his mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, during their conversation.
“He’s friends with my mother. He asked, ‘How is Imelda?’ I told him she was sending her best,” Marcos said at a relief distribution event in typhoon-hit Catanduanes.
Marcos also mentioned that he and Trump discussed the strong alliance between the Philippines and the United States, emphasizing a desire to deepen bilateral relations.
Trump’s Political Journey:
- Trump served as the 45th US President from 2016 to 2020 but lost his reelection bid to Joe Biden in 2020.
- After initially refusing to concede and urging his supporters to challenge the election results, the infamous January 6 Capitol insurrection occurred, resulting in violence against law enforcement.
- Trump made a political comeback in 2024, defeating US Vice President Kamala Harris to win the presidency.