One week after the devastating Super Typhoon Karding hit the Philippines, President Marcos Jr. watched the Formula One Grand Prix race in Singapore last October 2, 2022. Joining him at this event are his politician relatives House Speaker Martin Romualdez and his son, Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos. In a recent post by Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, the Malacañang claimed that this two-day trip strengthened earlier talks from the last state visit and encouraged the leaders to continue investing in the Philippines.

Last Sunday, September 25, Karding made its landfall in the central parts of Luzon. It has affected more than a million and an estimated P3.076 billion worth of agricultural damage. As Filipinos struggle to amend the damages done by Karding, the President’s Singapore trip raised some eyebrows from the citizens. According to the official website of Singapore Grand Pix, the ticket ranges from SG$128 (P5,250) to SG$1,288 (P52,840) for a three-day pass. Meanwhile, the hospitality package has access to a prime view along with food, beverages, and other perks. This costs around SG$1,766 (approximately P72,500) to SG$9,898 (about P406,000), depending on the duration of stay and location.

Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes stated that the President was “insensitive, unnecessary and irresponsible” for exhibiting this kind of behavior amidst the economic crisis in the country. “We are in the middle of an economic crisis where inflation will again reach record highs, public debt has breached P13 trillion, and millions of Filipinos are reeling from the effects of typhoon Karding," Reyes said. He also questioned the relevance of flying to Singapore in a private jet and how it cost the Filipino taxpayers. 

In early September, the President also went to Singapore for a state visit and held a meeting with Singaporean President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong regarding bilateral relations and other matters.