NEW YORK, USA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. landed at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Sunday, September 18, to start a six-day working visit to the United States.

Marcos, who took his oath on June 30, is set to participate in the 77th United Nations General Assembly and deliver his address during the General Debate on Tuesday afternoon, September 20 (early Wednesday, September 21, Manila time).

The President, speaking in Manila during his departure honors, said he will bring up “economic recovery, food security, and agricultural productivity” during his address.

His first activity – just like in his first state visits to Indonesia and Singapore – will be a gathering of the Filipino community in New Jersey. Filipinos from different states and even nearby Canada will be attending the event.

Marcos will also be holding bilateral meetings with other world leaders, as well as lead meetings between business leaders, during his other days in New York City. Malacañang has yet to release the details of these meetings.

Marcos’ visit, while a landmark trip in itself, draws extra attention because of an existing contempt judgment in the US against the President and his mother over a human rights class suit filed against his father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. But as head of state, Marcos will be granted diplomatic immunity. – Rappler.com