By ROY C. MABASA
OSAKA, Japan — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed deepening ties between the Philippines and Japan on Saturday as he led a high-level delegation to the Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, while subtly addressing calls for political unity back home.
The President and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos were received at the State Guest House by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikuina, Osaka Vice Governor Kaori Watanabe, and Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama.
Vice-Minister Ikuina conveyed Prime Minister Shinjiro Ishiba’s gratitude for Marcos’s early visit to the Expo and delivered a message of continued bilateral cooperation. Ishiba, who met with Marcos during a summit in April, expressed regret for not being able to receive the Philippine leader in person but reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening ties.
Marcos congratulated Japan on the successful organization of the Expo and reminisced about his first visit to the country during the 1970 Osaka Expo, led by his mother, then-First Lady Imelda Marcos.
“I still clearly remember those days,” Marcos said. “Today, we see how far our nations have come—with stronger personal and business exchanges than ever.”
Among those joining the President was Deputy Speaker and Cebu 5th District Representative Duke Frasco. His presence underscored both diplomatic and political significance, as he is widely viewed as a contender for the Speakership in the next Congress.
Frasco reaffirmed support for the President’s legislative priorities amid increasing tensions in the House of Representatives.
“The role of the House is to advance national progress, not deepen political divides,” Frasco said—remarks interpreted by some observers as a subtle rebuke of current House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the President’s cousin. Notably, Frasco has not signed the manifesto supporting Romualdez’s continued leadership, fueling speculation about shifting alliances within the chamber.
Despite the apparent fissures, Frasco emphasized his commitment to the President’s legislative agenda and praised the Philippines’ showcase at the Expo, spearheaded by his wife, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
The Philippine Pavilion—titled “Nature, Culture, and Community: Woven Together for a Better Future”—has welcomed over 300,000 visitors since its opening in April. It features 212 indigenous textiles and daily cultural performances, highlighting the country’s rich heritage.
“Our theme mirrors the very fabric of our aspirations under the Marcos administration—where every thread represents a Filipino, bound by a shared purpose for progress,” Rep. Frasco said. “It is an honor to join the President in promoting Filipino excellence and forging international partnerships.”
The Expo, which runs until October 13, 2025, features participants from over 150 countries and organizations. This year’s event also marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines—a relationship Marcos said “continues to grow deeper and more meaningful with time.”
