PCO: Marcos doing 'very good' in dual role during ASEAN-Russia Summit

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez expressed belief that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been doing a good job performing two responsibilities during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan.

In a recorded video message, Gomez said that Marcos was wearing two hats when he went to Russia for the Summit: as President of the Philippines, and as ASEAN Chair in 2026.

“Napakahalaga ng pagpunta ng ating Pangulo dito sa Russian Federation,” the PCO chief said.

(Our President’s visit to the Russian Federation is very important.)

“Dalawa ‘yung papel na ginagampanan ng ating Pangulo dito. And so far, sa nakita namin today, he's really doing a very good job for both roles,” Gomez said.

(The President is playing two roles here. And so far, based on what we saw today, he's really doing a very good job for both roles.)

During the summit, the ASEAN and Russia agreed to deepen cooperation and dialogue in several areas through the Kazan Declaration 2026, a roadmap for the next phase of their relations.

Several important outcome documents were also adopted like The ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action for 2026-2030, The Joint Statement and Concept Paper on Cultural Cooperation, and The Joint Statement and Concept Paper on Energy Cooperation.

“Together, these documents provide a comprehensive roadmap for expanding practical cooperation and delivering tangible results and benefits to our peoples in the years to come,” Marcos said.

At the sidelines of the summit, Marcos also held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the Philippine President reaffirmed the value of sustained political dialogue and expressed optimism about expanding areas of cooperation, particularly in energy and food security.

In a press conference, Marcos also announced that Putin has authorized the release of 24 Filipinos detained in the city of Irkutsk in Siberia for the past nine months. —VAL, GMA Integrated News