Manila: Paraguayan President Santiago Pe±a Palacios arrived on Sunday for a state visit to the Philippines upon the invitation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Pe±a landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 3:36 p.m. on board China Airlines flight CI 703 from Taipei and was welcomed by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque.

According to Philippines News Agency, Pe±a will be accorded honors at Malaca±an Palace in Manila, where he and Marcos are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Monday. This visit marks the first presidential-level engagement between the Philippines and Paraguay since the establishment of diplomatic ties on December 12, 1962. The Palace emphasized that the visit highlights both countries' shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and international cooperation.

Paraguay is seen as an emerging partner of the Philippines in Latin America. Both sides are seeking to expand engagement and diversify their economic partnerships as part of this visit.