PH ready to assume ASEAN chairmanship in 2026, says Marcos

The Philippines is ready to assume the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and host the corresponding ministerial summit in 2026 with a focus on practical, inclusive, and measurable initiatives, Malacañang said Sunday.

According to presidential Communications Office undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. made such remarks during his intervention at the ASEAN Plenary in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

“President Marcos reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to achieving the ASEAN Vision 2045, which aims to build a resilient, inclusive, and dynamic regional community,” Malacañang said in a statement released Sunday evening.

Castro said Marcos also cited the importance of ASEAN Centrality in strengthening peace, stability, and collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the need for mutual benefit and broader dialogue while reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Marcos was also reported to have cited the signing of the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade.

Marcos is currently in Kuala Lumpur to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit. He is also scheduled to attend bilateral meetings on the sidelines, and formally accept the chairmanship for 2026.

The Philippines is set to host the ASEAN Summit in 2026, with officials expecting over 600 meetings that will take place across the country, most of which will be in Metro Manila. The Marcos administration had previously proposed spending over P17 billion to prepare for such meetings.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro earlier said the country will focus on discussions regarding peace and security, maritime cooperation, and climate change for the summit.

With the recent addition of Timor-Leste, ASEAN counts as member states the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.—LDF, GMA Integrated News