Manila, Nov. 14 -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recognized Saturday the Philippines' socioeconomic gains, citing the country's record-low poverty rate and improved income status as "positive results" under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s leadership.



Speaking during a state luncheon hosted by Marcos at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, Lula commended the Philippines for its progress despite the global economic challenges.



"Our countries do not accept underdevelopment as fate. President Marcos, under your leadership, the Philippines has reached the lowest rate of poverty in its history. And for the first time, the Philippines was considered a medium to high-income country by the UN (...