Columnist Ramon Tulfo is outraged by the fake news published by Press Sec. Trixie Cruz-Angeles, who previously stated that only Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. was able to meet US President Joe Biden on the margins of the UNGA, has changed her mind.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles apologized on Friday for incorrectly saying that US President Joe Biden spoke to only President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

While her original remark was erroneous, Angeles insisted that the Philippines’ request for Marcos to meet with Biden on the sidelines of the UNGA was the only one allowed.

“My apologies for my confusing statement. I did say that he was the only one who had met with Mr. Biden and that is incorrect,” Angeles stated. “But our president was the only one whose request was acceded to.”

Speaking to Filipino reporters covering Marcos’ visit to the US for the UNGA, Angeles stated that Marcos was the only leader Biden interacted with on the fringes of the conference.

“Of several requests, I understand a lot of requests had been made to the US president, that it is significant that he spoke only with President Marcos on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly,” she stated.

She went on to say that Biden talked with “one other individual,” but that it was a “postponed meeting.”

“All the more it becomes significant that President Marcos has been able to speak with the US president,” she added.

According to White House readouts published on the White House website, Biden also spoke with at least three additional leaders on the sidelines of the UNGA.

For example, Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met on the sidelines of the UNGA to discuss the necessity of developing a free and open Indo-Pacific, particularly when it comes to strengthening and upgrading their two nations’ strategic partnership.

On the fringes of the UNGA, Trump met with his South Korean counterpart, Yoon Suk Yeol, and reiterated their commitment to strengthening their nations’ alliance and ensuring close collaboration to handle the danger presented by North Korea.

The UK’s incoming prime minister, Liz Truss, also met with Biden on the sidelines of the UNGA, where they discussed a variety of issues, including assisting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and confronting China’s difficulties.

Biden and Marcos met in person for the first time on the margins of the UN General Assembly to discuss their nations’ partnership, the situation in the South China Sea, Russia’s conflict against Ukraine and its influence on energy and food prices, and other issues.

Despite “rocky moments” between Washington and Manila in the past, Biden said he wants to strengthen ties with the Philippines under Marcos.

Marcos informed Biden that the Philippines, “continue[s] to look to the United States for that continuing partnership and the maintenance of peace in our region.”