THE Philippines on Tuesday commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), a landmark agreement that has served as the foundation of peaceful interstate relations in the region.
As the chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) for 2026, the Philippines is honored to lead this historic milestone, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Tuesday.
The country was one of the five original signatories when the treaty was signed in 1976 during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
"The TAC’s golden anniversary is both significant and meaningful as it is being celebrated during the Philippines' Asean chairmanship, underscoring the country's continued role in shaping regional cooperation," the PCO said in a statement.
From its five founding members — which also include Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand — the TAC has grown into a framework now embraced by 58 high contracting parties worldwide.
For five decades, the TAC has embodied the Asean model of peaceful engagement, anchored on mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, noninterference in internal affairs, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the renunciation of the threat or use of force.
"These principles have helped foster stability, solidarity, and closer relations among member states and partners, providing a secure and predictable environment that supports trade, investment, and economic growth across the region," it added.
As part of the commemoration, the official 50th anniversary logo will be unveiled through Asean's social media platforms.
The main commemorative activity will be held on July 24, 2026, on the sidelines of the 59th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings.
The Philippines has hosted the Asean Summit four times: 1987, 1999, 2006, and 2017.
The 11 member states of Asean are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste.
