The Philippines will take the lead in upholding the rule of law and promoting social stability in Southeast Asia, President Marcos said.

Marcos made the statement after swearing in the new officers and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Law Association (ALA) Philippines Inc. at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 6.
"With the election of the new Philippine National Committee officers of ALA Philippines, I am confident, the Philippines will take the lead in upholding the rule of law and promoting social stability and economic prosperity in the ASEAN Region," Marcos said in his speech.
The President stressed that their representation to the international bodies reflects the country’s continued commitment to strengthen its multilateral cooperation with neighboring countries.
He said their representation is vital in achieving the country's goal of a "just global community amidst the critical geopolitical issues that we are being confronted with in the region."
"We count on your insights, and experience, and law, and the administration of justice to harmonize the respective national laws of every ASEAN country so as to achieve common consensus on concerns within our region," he further said.
The Chief Executive made a commitment for the administration’s respect and adherence to the judiciary’s autonomy, vowing to strengthen partnership between the Executive and the Judiciary.
He also expressed his support to the Judiciary as it implements the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027.
ALA was established by ASEAN lawyers in February 1979 in Jakarta, Indonesia, through the proposal of Singaporean Professor Tan Sook Yee and the late former senator Edgardo Angara, aimed at creating a regional organization for lawyers in the ASEAN region.
It also aims to promote close relations, cooperation, and mutual understanding among lawyers in the ASEAN countries, provide organizational cooperation in law research, provide organizational facilities for ASEAN cooperation in conflict avoidance, arbitration and resolution of legal disputes, and push for cooperation with international, regional, national, and other organizations.
The ALA Philippines Inc. was founded on June 25, 1981 by Angara and 13 other legal luminaries in the country.