Marcos: PH to be a ‘chill, hospitable’ 2026 ASEAN host

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the Philippines will host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit next year with a “chill and hospitable” approach in showcasing the best of what Filipinos and the country has to offer.

This was after Malaysia turned over the chairmanship of the regional bloc to the Philippines upon the conclusion of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits earlier in the day.

In his “Kapihan” press briefing in Kuala Lumpur, Marcos was asked about the observation of some content creators on social media that the Philippines has a “chill and hospitable” vibe that enables it to maintain strong ties with other countries.

“I don’t know that we are more hospitable or more chill than the other countries. But to be seen that way is already an advantage,” the President said.

“I’m glad that ang starting point natin, ang tingin sa Pilipino ay ‘yun na nga ‘chill’ at madaling kausap. That’s a big help pagka you’re trying to find consensus,” he added.

(I’m glad that our starting point is that Filipinos are perceived as chill and easy to talk to. That’s a big help when you’re trying to find consensus.)

Marcos said the easy-going nature of Filipinos is an advantage especially as the Philippines hosts the regional bloc’s meetings next year.

“And we will present always the best possible side so that we are met with the most possible successes. That’s something that we can put in our pocket and say, advantage natin ito (this is our advantage),” he said.

The President added: “I don’t know that we are more hospitable or more chill than the other countries. But to be seen that way is already an advantage.”

Earlier, Malacañang said the Philippines is ready to assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026 with a focus on practical, inclusive, and measurable initiatives.

Upon receiving the chairmanship of the regional bloc from Malaysia, Marcos told reporters that the Philippines is prepared “in terms of physical, logistical preparation” and that the country has been preparing for the past eight months.

“We are now in the process of putting together the different elements of where we think ASEAN should be focusing. So one of the things is the COC (Code of Conduct on the South China Sea), for example. Number one para sa atin (It’s our number one priority),” the President said.

“When you are the chair of ASEAN, you lead. And that is what we are ready to do because we have a very, very good idea of what elements we need to be part of the discussions of ASEAN during our chairship,” he added.

In April, the Department of Foreign Affairs said ASEAN member states and China have agreed to complete the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea by 2026 despite contentious issues that delayed its finalization.

On Tuesday, Marcos said he is hopeful that the Code of conduct will be concluded when the Philippines hosts the ASEAN Summits next year and that he would exert all efforts to invite Chinese President Xi Jinping to Manila for its signing. — JMA, GMA Integrated News