MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos welcomed His Excellency Marciano Octavio Garcia Da Silva as Resident Ambassador-Designate of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the Philippines.

President Marcos accepted his letter of credence at the Reception Hall in Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, January 2.

“It is a great deal of pleasure that we are here to accept your letters of credence and to welcome you to the Philippines as ambassador of Timor-Leste to the Republic of the Philippines,” Marcos said.

“This is indicative of the growing partnership that your country and mine through our bilateral relationships, together with the multi-lateral relationships, have progressed in the last few years,” he added.

President Marcos previously met with President José Ramos-Horta in November 2023 during the Timorese leader’s four-day State Visit to the country.

During the state visit, President Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to support Timor-Leste in development through the “South-South Cooperation.”

The Philippines and Timor-Leste celebrated 21 years of diplomatic relations in May 2023. (PND)