Washington: Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo is scheduled for a working visit to the United States, where he will engage in discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on June 9 and 11, respectively. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Manalo's departure from Manila on Saturday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Manalo's meeting with Rubio in Washington, D.C. aims to address 'matters of mutual interests.' However, the DFA has yet to specify the exact issues to be discussed during this engagement. Following his commitments in Washington, Manalo will proceed to New York City. There, he will deliver a keynote speech at the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration and participate in an event related to the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

In a pre-departure statement, Manalo emphasized the Philippines' ongoing commitment as a founding UN member to engage in global discussions. He stated, "Solidarity around the principles and the common purpose for international peace and security underpinning the UN Charter must prevail, especially as the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary this year." Manalo has been appointed as the next Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, succeeding Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo, who is set to retire soon.