Your Excellency, President Joko Widodo; the esteemed Ministers and members of both delegations from the Philippines and Indonesia; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

It is a great honor and a great pleasure to welcome Your Excellency to the Philippines as we mark yet another milestone in our diplomatic history with your official visit. Your visit also comes on this auspicious year as we celebrate our 75th Anniversary of Formal Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Indonesia.

Excellency, I fondly recall when Your Excellency hosted me and the First Lady at Istana Bogor on the occasion of my state visit to Indonesia last September 2022. I remember the rich and distinctive history of the Istana, as well as the warm hospitality that you had offered to us.

So, today, allow me to reciprocate Your Excellency’s generosity as the First Lady and I offer you the best of Philippine culture and cuisine through today’s luncheon here in the Presidential home, Malacañan Palace.

The Philippines and Indonesia are not only neighbors, but also brothers and sisters sharing a longstanding history, a vibrant culture, and common aspirations for peace and prosperity for our people, and in the future.

We have fostered a mature relationship built on seven and a half decades of trust, mutual understanding, and extensive engagements throughout the years.

I am pleased with our cordial and substantive discussions this morning, which are reflective of the successes we have achieved in the past.

As you conclude your term as the President of the Republic of Indonesia in these coming months, I am optimistic that your successor will continue the momentum of the positive trajectory in both our bilateral and regional partnership.

I have however warned his Excellency that even after his time as President, I will still be knocking on his door to ask for assistance whenever I feel the need.

Allow me, Excellency, to express my delight once again for this opportunity for both our countries to reaffirm our strong and close ties.

I assure you, sir, that the Philippines will remain committed to working closely and actively with Indonesia as we nurture our bonds of kinship and elevate our relations to new heights.

At this juncture, I would like for you all to rise and to join me in a toast, to the good health and continued success of His Excellency, President Joko Widodo; to the well-being and prosperity of Filipinos and Indonesians; to the continuing success of our relationships between our two countries; to the success in the upcoming elections in Indonesia; and to further strengthening the Philippines-Indonesia relations in the decades to come.

Cheers! Mabuhay!

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