MANILA, Sept. 15 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called off his scheduled trip to the United States (US) to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this month.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez made the announcement Monday.

In a statement, Gomez said the President cancelled his participation in the UNGA to "focus on local issues."

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro will represent the Philippines in his stead.

"The President has delegated his engagements at the UNGA to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to allow him to focus on local issues," Gomez told reporters.

The 80th session of the UNGA opened earlier this month, while the High-level Week -when heads of state and...