MANILA – First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos is not joining President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his upcoming visit to Washington, D.C. to meet US President Donald Trump.
This was mentioned by Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro but did not provide reason for Araneta-Marcos skipping the state visit.
“Hindi po,” was Castro’s short reply when asked about Araneta-Marcos’ participation on the Chief Executive’s US trip.
When President Marcos travels abroad, the First Lady usually goes with him, although she also has her own commitments during the trip as well.
Araneta-Marcos’ skipping of the US trip came amid reports linking her to the death of businessman Paolo Tantoco allegedly due to accidental drug overdose in Los Angeles last March.
Castro has earlier denied Araneta-Marcos’ involvement on the death of Tantoco, claiming that the police reports that surfaced online the past few days were fabricated.
President Marcos is scheduled to visit Washington next week, the first head of state from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to be invited by Trump to the White House in his second term.
Details of the summit between Marcos and Trump are still being finalized, but defense and security amid increasing Chinese aggression in the disputed South China Sea, US tariffs, and economic cooperation are likely to be discussed./PN
