PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos said on Saturday that the Philippines is grateful to its regional allies during the culminating rites of the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Meetings in Cebu.
Guided by the summit theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the discussions reflected Asean’s long-standing principles of openness, mutual respect and regional cooperation, he said.
”As we close the 48th Asean Summit here in Cebu, first lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and I extend our deepest gratitude to our fellow Asean leaders and partners for the trust, friendship and meaningful discussions we shared over the past few days,” Marcos said in a statement posted on social media.
”At a time when the world faces uncertainty, Asean once again showed that we move forward best when we listen to one another, work together and keep our peoples at the center of every decision,” he added.
Marcos and the first lady on Friday welcomed Asean leaders and their spouses upon arrival at Mactan Expo in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
Among those present were Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng.
Myanmar was represented by U Hau Khan Sum, permanent secretary of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking during the gala dinner at the close of the summit on Friday, Marcos underscored the importance of unity and regional cooperation among Southeast Asian nations amid tensions in the Middle East.
He said Asean continued to demonstrate resilience through collective action and a shared commitment to regional stability during times of uncertainty.
”Your presence here has given real meaning to this Chairship and affirmed that, even in a more uncertain world, our region remains strongest when it moves forward together,” the president said.
”As we leave this Summit, may we do so with a clearer sense of purpose, a stronger commitment to one another, and the confidence that Asean can continue to shape a region that is resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centered,” he added.
Marcos stressed that no Asean member state can confront global instability alone.
”No member state can insulate itself entirely from instability beyond its borders. But neither should any member state feel that it must face these challenges alone,” he said.
The president acknowledged that the Philippines had initially envisioned a different atmosphere for the country’s Asean chairship, one centered on cultural celebration and regional camaraderie, before geopolitical developments shifted the summit’s focus toward pressing security concerns.
”This was not the Summit we originally envisioned,” he said. “When the Philippines assumed the Chairship, we had prepared to welcome you under different circumstances — to share more of our country, to celebrate our culture, and to show, in a richer way, the spirit and hospitality of the Filipino people. Instead, we have been asked to respond to a very different moment.”
Despite the challenges, Marcos emphasized that the summit reaffirmed Asean’s enduring strength and solidarity.
”The measure of leadership is not whether conditions remain favorable, but whether we remain clear in purpose when they do not,” he said. “That is what has strengthened Asean throughout its history, and that is what this Summit has demonstrated once again.”
