President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took the opportunity amid the holiday season to express his gratitude to the members of the Malacañang Press Corps for their efforts in relaying the government's message to the public.

The President on Saturday hosted a dinner party at the Palace for members of the MPC before departing for Brussels, Belgium, on Sunday night to attend the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit.

"So this is our gift for all of you who have been so supportive… I know you have been working very, very hard to get the news out so that people know what's going on, what we are doing here," Marcos said.

He then emphasized the significance of getting together with friends and family for a meal and attending a gathering that is especially important for Filipinos during the holiday season.

Xmas highlights Pinoy celebration
"It is always important to take… especially when it's like this, it's a holiday, especially in Pinoys, Christmas, it's always important to take a step back a little bit, recharge and think again about what we are doing and that's what Christmas is to me," he added.

Marcos also met with his supporters earlier in the day at Malacañang Palace, where he expressed gratitude for their unwavering support.

The President then expressed the hope that Filipinos would heed his call for unity with the help of those who supported his presidential bid.

Marcos, previously, pledged in several speeches that the safety, rights, and independence of all journalists and media workers in the nation would be safeguarded under his administration.

The Chief Executive, meanwhile, is expected to hold at least ten bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.

He will also meet with European business leaders in Brussels to talk about investments worth billions of pesos that are expected to give hundreds of Filipinos jobs.