MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said the Philippines’ participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) is vital to seal important deals and enhance strategic investments and partnerships with key economic leaders. Including the chief executive officers (CEOs) of Fortune 100 companies.

The President made this remark in a media briefing in Davos, Switzerland, when asked about criticisms that branded his trip as “lavish.”

“When is the next chance we will get to speak to CEOs of top Fortune 100 companies in the period of two days? So whoever we get to talk to, kailangan nandoon ‘yung [Cabinet] secretary na pwede niyang sagutin, pwede niyang kausapin,” Marcos told members of the Philippine press.

When asked for comment about the inclusion of lawmakers that included House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senator Mark Villar, the chief executive stressed that legislation is “an important part of what we are doing.”

“Let’s say you talk to a.potential investor, sasabihin niya ‘yung batas ninyo hindi maganda eh. Kami naiipit. And it’s not a good law, et cetera, et cetera. So at least we have the legislators here who can say: ‘Well, we can do something about it;’ or ‘No, that is important to us that we maintain it, et cetera, et cetera,'” the President explained.

“Because legislation is an important part of what we are doing. So there’s always a legislator. And in the case of former president GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo), we’re lucky to have her onboard,” Marcos pointed out.

President Marcos has accomplished a lot in his participation in the WEF in Switzerland, particularly by telling the Philippines’ success story and encouraging investors to come to the country, the government’s economic team has said.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the President’s WEF attendance aroused investors’ interest in areas such as digital economy, minerals processing, logistics and transport, as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operations.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, meanwhile, said from the perspective of key decision-makers abroad, they would want to hear where the Philippines stands at the moment.

WEF President Børge Brende earlier lauded the Philippines for its high gross domestic product (GDP) growth, surpassing other countries in Southeast Asia. (PCO)