Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III led the House of Representatives on Monday, Jan 19 in launching the country’s presidency of the 47th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

In his keynote address during Monday's welcoming rites at Batasan Complex in Quezon City, Dy said the Philippines assumes the AIPA Presidency for 2026 “with humility and with a clear understanding of what this responsibility demands".

Dy urged Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) parliaments to act collectively and move as one toward a new future anchored on unity, shared purpose, and stronger parliamentary cooperation.

“For today’s young public servants, and for the generations that will follow, the Philippines stands ready—to work with you, to listen, and to help secure a peaceful, prosperous, and people-centered ASEAN,” Dy said.

He stressed that cooperation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must be anchored on public trust and institutional credibility.

“Our guiding theme is clear: Parliaments Securing a Peaceful, Prosperous, and People-Centered ASEAN. It reflects a fundamental truth: communities endure not on aspiration alone, but on laws that are credible, systems that are trusted, and leaders who deliver results,” Dy said.

Dy said the Philippines’ AIPA agenda is aligned with President Marcos' commitment, as ASEAN chairman, to deepen dialogue and enhance cooperation on regional security and economic integration in a people-centered manner.

The launch comes as ASEAN marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and prepares for the admission of Timor-Leste as its 11th member state, milestones Dy said affirm that peace in the region was “built deliberately through dialogue, mutual respect, and the rule of law".

As ASEAN looks toward Community Vision 2045, the Isabela 6th district representative said the region faces increasingly complex challenges, including economic uncertainty, security risks, and rapid technological change occurring simultaneously.

“From my experience leading the House of Representatives, one lesson stands out: public trust is built through results. People judge governance by how decisions are made, whether processes are transparent, and whether outcomes genuinely improve daily life.”

He added that when laws are openly debated, carefully scrutinized, and aligned with real needs, institutions earn the confidence of the people they serve.

Dy said these principles extend beyond national borders. He says that trust across ASEAN grows when laws are clear and resources are directed where they matter most.

“This is how parliaments secure peace, support prosperity, and keep people at the center of policy—principles that will guide our AIPA Presidency,” he said.

He emphasized that peace is more than the absence of conflict. He described it as confidence that differences can be resolved through dialogue and that rules will be respected even under pressure.

“Through AIPA, legislatures strengthen parliamentary diplomacy by working together on shared concerns—maritime security, transnational crime, cyber threats, and disinformation—choosing cooperation over confrontation,” Dy said.

The Philippines is a founding member of ASEAN.