Thank you all for being here to see us off.

The members of the Cabinet present here today; Speaker Martin Romualdez; of course, the First Lady, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos; the AFP Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner; the PNP Chief Police General, Benjie Acorda; Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan; my fellow workers in government; ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

[Please, take your seats.]

I am embarking upon a visit to Australia as a Guest of Government upon the invitation of Governor-General David Hurley. It may be recalled that we welcomed Governor-General Hurley to the Philippines almost two years ago when he represented the Australian people during my inauguration ceremony.

We appreciate this personal extension of friendship and I wish that through this visit, I will be able not just to convey our camaraderie, but the goodwill of the entire Filipino nation to our friends in Australia.

Following our historic decision to elevate the partnership between the Philippines and Australia from a comprehensive to a Strategic Partnership last year, it is now our turn to reciprocate the visit made by Prime Minister Albanese and extend to our Australian friends our strong commitment to this partnership, to this friendship and this alliance.

As part of this visit, I will have the opportunity to address the Parliament of Australia and provide greater detail on the commitments that we place in this partnership and our vision for the future of the Philippines.

I will make sure to acknowledge the ever-growing relations on defense and security with one of our only two Status of Visiting Forces partners as highlighted last year by the success of Exercise Alon and the Maritime Cooperative Activity.

I shall also highlight the huge potential in trade and investment that we should maximize in the coming years. After all, economic security is a vital component of national security.

Finally, I anticipate an enhancement of the mutual understanding between the Philippines and Australia as we share a common vision not just for our bilateral relations, but for the peace and security of the region as well.

Our engagement in the Parliament will also feature conversations with Australia’s legislative leadership who are vital partners in ensuring a favorable and enabling policy to our relations to continue its upward trajectory.

I will also have the opportunity to expand our wide-ranging cooperation with Australia through the formalization and signing of three (3) agreements.

Collaboration in these additional fields is a clear indication that the Strategic Partnership which we have embarked upon provides greater energy and optimism for closer cooperation that is mutually beneficial to both Filipinos and Australians.

I am honored to bring with me in this visit the best of our motherland and our inherent desire for peace and prosperity. I intend to serve as a bridge that will further connect the two democratic maritime nations and promote our visions of amity, development, and cooperation.

I hope to bring home with me a more robust, warmer, and closer Philippine-Australian relations.

Hinihingi ko po ang panalangin ng sambayanang Pilipino at ang patuloy ninyong pag-suporta.

Maraming salamat at magandang umaga sa inyong lahat!

–END–