Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez today underscored the profound importance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s invitation to stay at the historic Blair House during his three-day official visit to Washington, D.C. The invitation signifies a deep level of respect and importance accorded to the Philippine leader by the U.S. administration.
In an interview with the Philippine media delegation at the Philippine Embassy on Sunday, Ambassador Romualdez highlighted the personal significance of such an invitation. “I think the invitation of the U.S. President for him to stay at the Blair House is significant,” Romualdez told reporters before President Marcos Jr.’s arrival. “You know, when you are invited to stay at the presidential guest house here in Washington, that means something; that you are given importance by your host. And your staying there is important.”
The Ambassador drew a poignant parallel to a significant moment in Philippine-U.S. diplomatic history, recalling that President Marcos Jr.’s parents, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos and former First Lady Imelda Marcos, also stayed at Blair House during their visit to the U.S. under former President Ronald Reagan.
“I’ve told President Marcos that it would be wonderful for him to stay there because when his parents were invited here by President Reagan, they stayed at the Blair House,” shared Romualdez, who covered that historic visit as a reporter. “And so to me it’s quite surreal. It’s quite significant and historical because now it’s President Marcos Jr. that will be staying at the Blair House as a guest of the U.S. President.”
Blair House, officially known as the U.S. President’s Guest House, holds immense historical, diplomatic, and political weight. Beyond its role as a premier guesthouse, it has served as a pivotal location for political discussions, social gatherings, and diplomatic engagements throughout its storied past, even notably serving as a temporary residence for U.S. President Harry Truman.
President Marcos Jr.’s stay at this prestigious residence underscores the robust and enduring alliance between the Philippines and the United States, further cementing the strong bilateral relationship.
