PBBM back from ‘successful, interesting’ ASEAN Summit debut

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is back from his “interesting” participation at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit which he described was a success.

At past midnight Monday, November 14, Marcos arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City from his four-day stay in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and other related summits.

“My visit to Cambodia for the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits was successful,” he said as he shared the multiple meetings he had with various counterparts and business leaders during his maiden participation in the summit.

He added that he concluded his visit in the foreign country with a meeting with the Filipino community there.

The President further stated that his first ASEAN participation was “interesting”, as all the ASEAN member states were able to engage in dialogue with leaders even outside Asia.

“For me, it was a very interesting experience because it’s the first one that I’ve been to. I’ve been to the Summit before but certainly not as President,” he said.

He underscored that the ASEAN Summit gave him and his counterparts the opportunity ” to give their positions, which gives you a very good idea of where things stand, what are the concerns, what is the situation in other places.”

“Tayo sa Pilipinas (We, in the Philippines), we also got the opportunity to put forward our position, our plans, and to find ways where we can help each other, where we can coordinate and all that,” Marcos said.

According to Marcos, it was “quite gratifying” to see that there was “very large consensus” among the ASEAN member states, stressing that they are going through the same issues in food supply, prices of fertilizer and surging oil prices.

In addition, he stated that the “most important takeaway” from his trip was that all member states reach a consensus that no country can do it all and that they must collaborate and support one another.

After recapping his business meetings and bilateral talks in Cambodia, the President expressed his enthusiasm for the next ASEAN Summit, which will be hosted by Indonesia.

“We look forward now to working with Indonesia as they are the incoming chair of ASEAN next year,” he said.