PBBM to meet with Trump to tackle US’ new policies

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

Marcos, in a media interview in Cebu City, confirmed his plan to meet with Trump. (File Photo: Donald J. Trump/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday said he would meet with United States (US) President Donald Trump to discuss the latter’s new policies on foreign assistance, trade, defense and security, and immigration.

Marcos, in a media interview in Cebu City, confirmed his plan to meet with Trump.

“I will meet with President Trump because I should. Because there’s much that we need to discuss between the US and the Philippines in terms of trade, in terms of defense and security, and now the new policy on immigration,” he said.

“Nagpauwi na yata ng ilang daan na Pilipino (About a few hundred Filipinos have been sent home). This is something that we have to work through and hopefully resolve because the Filipinos in the United States, especially, have really formed the important part already of their workforce,” Marcos added.

Marcos said the Philippine government would make a way to “influence” the US’ policy-making in terms of immigration.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said it is “almost impossible” that the estimated 300,000 Filipinos without legal status in the US would be deported by the end of the Trump administration.

The US deported “only a few hundred or less” undocumented Filipinos every month during the first Trump presidency, the DFA added.

When it comes to the US’ temporary suspension of foreign assistance, Marcos said it is “hard to comment” because the policy is “not yet clear.”

“It’s very unclear what it is. It’s even the agencies in the US government, hindi nila naintindihan (they do not understand) what it means – ano ‘yung tatamaan, saan babawasan ang aid funds (what will be affected and where will the funds be deducted),” he said.

“Well, this is what happens. These are the growing pains of a new administration. But I’m sure, with time these policies will crystalize and will become clearer, by which time I will have a chance to visit with President Trump and we can discuss it with a better understanding of what the policies are,” Marcos added.

Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez said Marcos’ scheduled meeting with Trump has no definite date yet.