Marcos arrives in Cebu for ASEAN Summit 2026

LAPU-LAPU CITY, CEBU – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. arrived in Cebu Wednesday evening for the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, which the Philippines hosts as chair of the international organization.

Marcos landed at the Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base at 9:14 p.m.

The President earlier said he would lead discussions during the summit on how the region could guarantee the supply of food and energy, as well as the safety of Southeast Asian nationals across the world, amid tensions in the Middle East.

He also said the Philippines would continue to push for peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and cooperation for shared benefit—which are the founding ideals of ASEAN.

“We will continue to stress that as one region, our efforts will truly be effective on the basis of a unified approach and collective vision. Through these actions, we will embrace an ASEAN where its peoples enjoy a secure, peaceful, and stable future,” Marcos said.

What to expect?

On Thursday, May 7, a series of ministerial-level meetings will be conducted, including the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the 31st ASEAN Political Security Community Council Meeting, the 38th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, and the ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting.

Senior officials and foreign ministers of the 11 ASEAN member states are expected to attend these meetings ahead of the actual summit on Friday, May 8. The discussions will focus on regional priorities and ASEAN’s long-term community-building agenda in line with its 2045 community vision.

On Friday, the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings will be held, which will be attended by leaders of the member states.

The leaders are expected to focus on the three priorities Marcos mentioned – energy security, food security, and the safety of ASEAN nationals.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary and ASEAN spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial said the Philippines is also set to endorse three important outcome documents for the ASEAN leaders' consideration during the summit.

ASEAN leaders are also expected to issue a joint statement regarding the Middle East crisis.

“We’re actually very confident about the declaration on how ASEAN will respond to the Middle East crisis. We do not see any impediment; in fact, we are very encouraged by the commitment of all the ASEAN member states,” Imperial said.

“The main purpose really here is for all the member states, ASEAN, to be able to come up with measures that will help us respond not only to the current situation now, but also to other future crises,” he added.

Marcos earlier declared May 6 to 8, 2026 as special non-working days in Lapu-Lapu and Cordova, Cebu amid the ASEAN Summit.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said this would ease traffic and ensure the safety of delegates for the summit. –NB, GMA News