President Marcos welcomes 3 new envoysPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received the credentials of three newly appointed ambassadors from Papua New Guinea, Slovakia, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic at Malacañang Palace in Manila on February 28, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos welcomed on Friday the new ambassadors of Slovak Republic, Papua New Guinea and Lao, stressing the strong potential for expanded cooperation with the three nations. Ambassadors Stephen Pokanis of Papua New Guinea, Miloš Koterec of the Slovak Republic and Thiphasone Sengsourinha of Lao presented their credentials to the President during a ceremony at Malacañang. The President said there is a wide range of activities and areas for the Philippines and the Slovak Republic to explore and discuss during the envoy’s tenure in the country. Meanwhile, Marcos expressed hope that the country’s relations with Papua New Guinea would continue to grow and deepen in the future.

Source: Philippine Star February 28, 2026 16:05 UTC