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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH assumes ASEAN chairship; vows to facilitate Timor-Leste's integration

PH assumes ASEAN chairship; vows to facilitate Timor-Leste's integration

Published Oct 28, 2025 05:25 pm
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim formally hands over the gavel to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., symbolizing the turnover of the ASEAN Chairmanship during the handover rites held as part of the Closing Ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the Plenary Hall of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 28, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim formally hands over the gavel to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., symbolizing the turnover of the ASEAN Chairmanship during the handover rites held as part of the Closing Ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the Plenary Hall of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 28, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—President Marcos has officially taken over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Marcos assumed the ASEAN chairmanship on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from Malaysia in a ceremony, capping this year's ASEAN Summit. 
In his speech, Marcos vowed to facilitate the further integration of the new member Timor-Leste into the ASEAN family.
"We are committed to carrying forward your momentum and to implement on its first year the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 with purpose and resolve," the President said before all ASEAN Member States and their delegation.
"We likewise remain dedicated to facilitating the further integration of Timor-Leste into the ASEAN family," he added.
Marcos has committed to champion peace and stability through dialogue and adherence to international law.
He likewise vowed that ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms and processes remain central amid unpredictable challenges.
"In 2026, as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), we will continue to champion peace and stability through dialogue, adherence to international law, and enhanced cooperation on traditional and non-traditional security issues," Marcos said.
"ASEAN is our ship, and 2026 will be the year when we set full sail together toward our shared horizon," Marcos also said,
The President stressed that the Philippines' chairship "arrives at a defining moment for ASEAN, one marked by both promise and complexity."
"For though the tides of change may be unpredictable, our compass must remain constant, anchored in cooperation. It must be oriented toward maintaining a stable and secure region, built upon a shared vision of an open, inclusive, transparent, and rules-based ASEAN regional architecture," he said.
"With the  Philippines at the helm, we will continue to ensure that ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms and processes remain central," he added.
Under Manila's chairship, Marcos said the regional bloc will stand firm as the institution that serves as the driving force behind the region’s evolving landscape.
"Our goal is not to diverge from past chairships, but to build upon the collective work of our predecessors," Marcos said.
"As we pledge our sustained commitment as Chair, we likewise hope our vision will be shared among all ASEAN Member States, the Secretariat, and all our external partners," the President added.

'Navigating our future together'

With a theme “Navigating Our Future, Together”, Marcos said the Philippines will "continue to fortify our peace and security anchors, strengthen our prosperity corridors, and advance people empowerment."
He underscored that these main priorities will serve as their compass, guiding ASEAN toward a future "where peace, prosperity, and people remain at the heart of all that we say and all that we do."
The Chief Executive emphasized that this reflects the country's resolve to ensure that ASEAN’s integration agenda translates into real opportunities, for businesses to grow, for communities to thrive, and for progress to be inclusive, sustainable, and shared by all.
Assuming the chairmanship automatically makes Marcos the chair of the ASEAN Summit and related summits, the ASEAN Coordinating Council, the three ASEAN Community Councils, relevant ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies and senior officials, and the Committee of Permanent Representatives – Article 31 of the ASEAN Charter.
The Philippines has hosted the ASEAN Summit four times in 1987, 1999, 2006, and 2017.

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