BBM looks forward to working closely with POTUS

President Marcos joined other world leaders in congratulating US President Donald Trump on his inauguration, saying he is looking forward to working closely with the Trump administration, particularly in maintaining stability and economic prosperity in the region.

- By HELEN FLORES

The 78-year-old Trump took his oath of office under the US Capitol Rotunda on Monday as frigid weather forced the ceremony indoors.

"Congratulations to POTUS @realdonaldtrump and to the American people on another peaceful transfer of power in their nation’s nearly 250year history. I look forward to working closely with you and your administration,” Marcos said on X.

“The strong and lasting Phl-US alliance will continue to uphold our shared vision of prosperity and security in the region,” he said.

Trump is just the second president in US history to return to power after being voted out, after Grover Cleveland in 1893.

Malacañang had said Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez would represent Marcos at Trump’s inauguration.

In a previous statement, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez said the US invited the chiefs of diplomatic missions to represent their respective countries at Trump’s inauguration.

Trump, who served as US president from 2017 to 2021, earned a fresh mandate from the Americans after defeating former US vice president Kamala Harris in the 2024 elections.