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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider ASEAN won't take common position on sending poll observers to Myanmar—Marcos

ASEAN won't take common position on sending poll observers to Myanmar—Marcos

Published Oct 28, 2025 10:45 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. holds a post-ASEAN Summit press briefing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Oct. 28, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. holds a post-ASEAN Summit press briefing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Oct. 28, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—President Marcos disclosed that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) "will not take a common position" on sending election observers to Myanmar amid the civil war.
Marcos told the media on Tuesday night, Oct. 28, that the bloc is leaving it to each Member State to decide what steps to take on their own over the nearing elections in Myanmar.
The President said ASEAN leaders discussed the matter thoroughly, but they were not able to reach a consensus.
"And I think what's happened is ASEAN is leaving it to each country to decide on their own. ASEAN will not take a common position. Because in our discussions, everyone has a different idea," Marcos said in a post-ASEAN Summit press briefing here.
"So, we will have to decide for the Philippines what it is that we think we should do. We will watch other countries to see what they should do," Marcos added.
The Chief Executive, however, believes that the ASEAN Member States would be able to reach a collective agreement by December, saying he would ask around for their respective opinion.
He explained that while they were not able to reach a consensus, the "differences are not enormous" among the member states.
"I still believe that we will come to a consensus as to what to do by December 28 when the election is scheduled," he said.
"I'm definitely going to be calling around and saying: Ano bang sa palagay ninyo ang dapat gawin natin (What do you think we must do)," he added.
Marcos said he would be seeking for each member's opinion as it would be "much preferable" if the regional bloc moves as one.
"Because it would be much preferable if ASEAN moves as one. So, that's what I will try now, starting from now because it's already – ang schedule December 28 na, e. So, we have to come to a decision as to what it is that we are going to do," the President said.
"There are differences in opinion on the different members, but the differences are not enormous. I think that if we talk about it some more, we will find a common ground as to what to do," he added.
In the event that there is no consensus from ASEAN members, the Philippines will move by itself.
"Then we will agree to disagree. But that's how ASEAN works. You make up your own mind. If we would like to bring you into the majority, for example, then we will. We continue to talk about it," he said.
"And as I said, I think all the leaders of the member states understand that it would be much, much better if ASEAN took a common position and moved as one. That's what I would be advocating for," he added.

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