‘Happy coincidence’ brings PBBM to F1

SINGAPORE — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. described his attendance at the glitzy Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2026 as a “happy coincidence,” saying the race coincided with his working visit and offered an opportunity to meet potential foreign investors.

Marcos said the annual race has grown into a major international event that draws political and business leaders, prompting them to schedule conferences and meetings around it.

“Yes, a happy coincidence,” said Marcos when asked about his attendance at the high-profile motor race scheduled from 9 to 11 October.

In October 2022, the President faced criticism for making an unannounced trip to Singapore to watch the race, days after a powerful typhoon battered parts of the Philippines.

This year, his invitation to the race came from Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The two leaders are expected to meet privately during the race weekend to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments.

Marcos’ five-day working visit included a question-and-answer session at the Forbes Global CEO Conference on 8 October and a visit to the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute the following day.

His attendance at the Singapore Grand Prix, however, has drawn criticism in the Philippines, with some questioning the cost as the country grapples with a massive corruption scandal, rising prices, and other problems.

Body language

“He will attend. The President has said that face-to-face meetings are better for conducting business, such as at these events. He shared that at one such event, he met the well-known leader Lee Kuan Yew. These gatherings allow people to get to know one another personally and observe each other’s body language,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

She said the adverse reactions were expected.

“Whenever the President attends an event, there will inevitably be people who criticize him and express negative opinions. But no matter what event he attends, whether personal or official, he never stops being the President, not for a second,” she said.

“I once came before I was president a long time ago and as I was walking around, I met (former Singapore Prime Minister) Lee Kuan Yew. I concluded that when you come to the Singapore F1 you can meet anybody, everyone that you want. Even some businessmen from the Philippines, I had meetings with them because they were there for the F1,” Marcos said.