MANILA, Philippines — Senate leaders on Monday endorsed to Malacañang "for serious study" the proposal of former Finance secretary Gary Teves for the Philippines to postpone the hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit this year.
In a radio interview over the weekend, Teves said the government would save over P17 billion if it postpones hosting the Asean. The money could be used to offset the impact of the Middle East war on the economy.
The country's chairmanship of Asean requires hosting 650 ministerial and senior official meetings. These will be held in Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, Laoag, Iloilo, Tagaytay, and Clark in Pampanga.
"The times call for such a possible move. The Executive department might consider that,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III said.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Teves’ proposal "merits at least serious study and possible reconsideration."
"I think our Asean neighbors would understand," Lacson said in a text message.
But Teves admitted that the Philippines has to "look into the legality [of postponing Asean Summit] and the diplomatic concerns [of other member-countries]."
"They need to ask their Asean counterparts if they would agree for us to reset [hosting the Asean Summit]," Teves said in Filipino.
