President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., is welcome to visit the United States as a head of state and may not face arrest because of his diplomatic immunity; this was according to a Washington official.
Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman assured that Marcos, once he assumes the presidency, will have immunity from possible arrest while on US soil.
“The fact is when you’re a head of state, you have immunity in all circumstances and are welcome to the United States in your official role,” Sherman, who is currently in Manila, told reporters on Thursday.
“When someone is the head of state, they have immunity and would be welcome to the United States,” the US official added.
Sherman clarified, however, that the diplomatic immunity only covered the incoming president and does not extend to other members of the Marcos family.
Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, his son Bongbong and the estate of her late husband, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., are facing contempt order handed down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for violating an injunction that barred them from dissipating assets of the estate.
The judgment, amounting to $353.6-M is believed to be the largest contempt award ever affirmed by an appellate court in the US, according to Project Jurisprudence.
The contempt award also means the Marcoses cannot set foot on US territory without getting arrested.
Meanwhile, Sherman said she had met Marcos Jr. and discussed with him several topics including human rights situation in the Philippines, the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea, as well as reaffirming bilateral relations between the two countries.
They also both agree “on the importance of partnering together to strengthen our economies, including the importance of public-private partnerships, clean energy and our digital economy.”
“Deputy Secretary Sherman also emphasized the importance of fostering respect for human rights, partnering to address the climate crisis, and working together to strengthen our economies in her engagements with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Locsin, business leaders, and Filipino U.S. exchange alumni,” said a statement from the US Embassy Facebook page.
Sherman is the first top US official to have met Marcos Jr. who is set to formally assume office as President of the Republic on June 30.