Heads of state not invited to Trump inaugural

President Marcos will not attend the inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump, who will return to the White House this month after staging what has been described as one of the most remarkable political comebacks in modern history.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez will represent the Philippines during the inauguration, which will take place on Jan. 20.

"Since the 1800s, no head of state has been invited to the US presidential inauguration. Only ambassadors represented in Washington, DC are invited," Romualdez said in a text message to The STAR.

"I am looking forward to working once again with President Trump's administration," he said after he met with the president-elect at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Presidential Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez said the US secretary of state, on behalf of the Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, has invited the chiefs of diplomatic missions and their spouses to represent their respective heads of state and their governments at the principal inaugural events.

“In this case, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez will represent (President Marcos) at the inauguration,” Chavez said in a statement issued yesterday.

He added that there is no confirmation on whether Marcos would visit the US to meet with Trump in the early months of 2025.

Marcos has visited the US four times since becoming president in 2022.