Bersamin, Angara, Estrella designated caretakers as Marcos leaves for ASEAN

Three Cabinet members were designated caretakers of the Philippine government on Saturday as President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. flies to Malaysia to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

They are Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, according to GMA Integrated News reporter Mariz Umali.

Marcos will depart from Villamor Air Base, Pasay City on Saturday morning for Kuala Lumpur to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits scheduled on October 26 to 28.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Angelica Escalona said on Friday Marcos is expected to advance the Philippines' interests during his meetings, which include 14 leaders-level meetings as well as three signing ceremonies.

The signing ceremonies include the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN as its 11th member, Signing of the Second Protocol To Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, and the ASEAN-China Free Trade 3.0 Upgrade.

Bilateral meetings with other leaders will also take place. 

Asked if these include China and Japan, Escalona said, ''At the moment these are still for confirmation so the information will be shared in due course.''

When asked if the tension in the West Philippine Sea will be raised, Escalona said peace and security and maritime cooperation would surely be tackled but she could not say yet what would be Marcos' pronouncement on the matter.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said last April that ASEAN member-states and China have agreed to complete the Code of Conduct by 2026 despite contentious issues that have delayed its creation.

There are also 80 expected outcome documents to be signed during the Summit, Escalona said.

The chairmanship of the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits for 2026 will be turned over to the Philippines towards the end of the meetings.

Joining the President on this trip were Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro, Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez. —with a report from Ted Cordero/KG, GMA Integrated News