Marcos headed to Malaysia for ASEAN: What to expect
by Jean Mangaluz · philstarMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is headed to Malaysia from October 26 to 28 for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the final meeting before the chairship is turned over from Kuala Lumpur to Manila.
At a press briefing on Friday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Angelica Escalona said Marcos is expected to meet with 14 high-profile ASEAN leaders and partners.
One of the most significant expected developments of the upcoming summit is the adoption of Timor Leste into the ASEAN. Timor Leste will become the youngest ASEAN member country at a mere 23 years old.
Regional peace and security will also be a topic, as well as the situation in Myanmar.
Asked if the West Philippine Sea will be discussed, Escalona said she cannot preempt what Marcos would say, but said that the discussions on the sea Code of Conduct will continue.
“The Philippines will work with ASEAN member states and China for the conclusion of an effective, substantive, and legally binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea,” the DFA spokesperson said.
The current row with China is not the summary of the relationship between Manila and Beijing, Escalona added.
Marcos is set to have 14 meetings at the ASEAN Summit, including the following:
- 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit
- 3rd Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders' Meeting
- 22nd ASEAN-India Summit
- 13th ASEAN-United States Summit
- 26th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit
A total of 80 outcome documents are expected to be signed during the meeting, with Marcos set to oversee three major signing ceremonies.
By the end of the meet in Malaysia, it will officially hand the chairship of the ASEAN Summit to the Philippines in an official turnover ceremony.
Will Marcos and Trump meet again?
The DFA confirmed reports that US President Donald Trump will attend the ASEAN Summit, but said Malaysia itslef is waiting to officially confirm his attendance.
Should Trump attend the ASEAN meet, Escalona said the Philippines looked forward to engaging with the US on economic matters. However, she declined to comment on whether the US tariffs will be discussed.
Escalona also declined to comment on the relationship between the Philippines and the US amid China’s growing influence on the region, deferring the question to senior officials.
Marcos and Trump were able to meet during the former’s trip to the US in July. Part of the two leaders’ discussion is the tariff that the US slapped on the Philippines — a longtime ally. After Trump and Marcos’ meeting, the US reduced the tariffs on Philippine goods by a mere 1%, from 20% to 19%.