What can PH benefit from hosting ASEAN Summit? Geopolitical analyst explains

The financial cost of hosting the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits has been considerable for the Philippines, but a geopolitical analyst said Sunday that accommodating global leaders could benefit the country in return.

Geopolitical analyst Dindo Manhit said the ASEAN Summit is an opportunity for the member states from the Southeast Asia region to cooperate with each other.

"Siguro tignan natin sa konteksto na isa tayo sa mga founding members ng ASEAN… Ngayon ay 11 na tayo at ito ay nagpapakita ng unity in diversity. Kahit papaano ang iba't-ibang bansa, at least nakakapagusap-usap, nakakapagtulungan," he told Super Radyo dzBB.

(Perhaps let's look at it in the context that we are one of the founding members of ASEAN... Now there are 11 of us, and this is a display of unity in diversity. Somehow, the different countries are at least able to talk and help one other.)

ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand as its founding members.

The organization later welcomed Brunei Darussalam in 1984. Vietnam joined in 1995, while Laos and Myanmar came into the picture in 1997. Cambodia joined its ranks in 1999.

Timor Leste was the latest country to join the regional bloc in 2025.

But Manhit said the hosting of the ASEAN Summit actually exposes the Philippines to countries outside of the region.

"Ang kagandahan lang dito, ang ASEAN - hindi man siya perpekto - ito ay pagkakataon ng isang bansa tulad ng Pilipinas na makilala, makausap ng ibang bansa labas sa ASEAN. Malakas ang ASEAN, ‘yung kanilang tinatawag na drawing power," he said.

(What is good about this is that ASEAN— even if it isn't perfect— is an opportunity for a country like the Philippines to be recognized and to talk to other countries outside ASEAN. ASEAN is strong, with what is called "drawing power.")

"Dumadating rin ‘yung mga bisita natin with the promise of partnership, promise of economic investment," he added.

(Our visitors also arrive with the promise of partnership, [and the] promise of economic investment.)

Ahead of the summit, the Philippines and Canada have concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), with both countries aiming to sign the pact in 2027.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have discussed strengthening agricultural cooperation to protect local farms and support food security.

Marcos earlier said that the hosting of the ASEAN summit "is an important opportunity to create more jobs, support local businesses and open new doors for our people."

The government has allocated P22.9 billion for the ASEAN Summit, as it marks its fifth time to chair the regional bloc. But the Palace said it is ready to have the cost of being the event’s host be audited. —RF, GMA News