Singapore Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong makes his introductory working visit to the Philippines on June 4 to 5, 2025, at the invitation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., signaling a renewed push to deepen long-standing ties between the two Southeast Asian nations.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office of Singapore, the visit will feature a wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Monument and a ceremonial welcome at Malacañang Palace. Prime Minister Wong will meet with President Marcos for a bilateral meeting, followed by an official dinner hosted in his honor. Wong will be accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Wong, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Sim Ann, and senior officials from Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office.
Wong’s visit reaffirms Singapore’s commitment to strengthening relations with the Philippines across economic, security, and emerging sectors. It comes at a time when both countries are celebrating 56 years of diplomatic relations and are looking to expand cooperation in green technologies, smart infrastructure, and sustainable development.
A seasoned politician and economist, Wong became Singapore’s fourth Prime Minister in May 2024. He is known for championing an open, rules-based international order and for pragmatic diplomacy aimed at balancing relations among major powers. His economic strategy emphasizes sustainable growth, productivity, and maintaining Singapore’s position as a leading financial hub.
The Philippines is Singapore’s 8th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $10.62 billion in 2023. Singapore is also a key investor in the Philippines and host to around 200,000 Filipinos who contribute significantly to Singapore’s economy and cultural diversity. Defense ties have strengthened with a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation signed in 2024, covering areas such as counterterrorism, disaster relief, and maritime security.
During Wong’s absence, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam will serve as Acting Prime Minister in Singapore.
Wong’s visit is expected to reinforce shared commitments to ASEAN centrality, regional stability, and multilateral cooperation, and pave the way for broader collaboration in climate action and digital innovation — setting the stage for a stronger, future-ready partnership between Singapore and the Philippines.
