Marcos receives new Swiss, Dutch envoys in Malacañang

September 24, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday received the credentials of two envoys from Switzerland and the Netherlands, as he expressed optimism for stronger diplomatic ties with the two countries.

Marcos received the credentials of Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Edgard Cristoph Doerig and Dutch Ambassador Roderick Wols in separate ceremonies in Malacañang.

“I am sure that the time that you will spend here in the Philippines will bring our countries even closer than we already are, and I look forward to working together,” the President told Doerig.

The new Swiss ambassador cited the political and economic ties, as well as the historic links, of their countries.

Doerig recalled the stay of the Philippines’ national hero, Jose Rizal, in Switzerland. It was during his stay in Switzerland that Rizal Friedrich Schiller’s “William Tell” into Tagalog.

The Swiss diplomat added that the Philippines and Switzerland’s celebration of 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2027 will be an opportunity to deepen their bilateral cooperation.

Similarly, Marcos and Wols were both bullish about their nations’ bilateral ties, and acknowledged their strong people-to-people ties.