Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez underscored the importance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s invitation to stay at the Blair House during his three-day official visit to Washington, D.C.

In an interview with Philippine media delegation at the Philippine Embassy on Sunday, Romualdez highlighted the personal connection between President Marcos and U.S. President Donald Trump, noting Trump’s prior acquaintance with former First Lady Imelda Marcos.

“I think the invitation of President Trump for him to stay at the Blair House is significant,” Romualdez told reporters before the arrival of President Marcos.

“You know when you are invited to stay at the presidential guest house here in Washington, that means something, that you are obviously given importance by your host. And your staying there is important,” the Ambassador added.

Romualdez recalled the historic precedent set by President Marcos Jr.’s parents, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos and former First Lady Imelda Marcos, who stayed at Blair House during their visit to the U.S. under former President Ronald Reagan.

“I’ve told President Marcos that it would be wonderful for him to stay there because when his parents were invited here by President Reagan, they stayed at the Blair House,” shared Romualdez adding that he was a reporter at the time covering the visit.

“And so to me it’s quite surreal. It’s quite significant and historical because now it’s President Marcos Jr. that will be staying at the Blair House as a guest of President Trump,” he said.

The Blair House, known as the U.S. President’s Guest House, holds significant historical, diplomatic, and political importance.

Originally a site for political discussions and social gatherings, especially during U.S. President Andrew Jackson’s administration, it hosted many diplomatic engagements and even served as a temporary residence for U.S. President Harry Truman. | PND