President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday welcomed the social media characterization of the Philippines as the “chill dude” member of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN).

In a media interview following his successful participation in the 47th ASEAN and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, President Marcos said the description reflects the Filipino people’s well-known values of hospitality and friendliness.

“I’m glad that ang starting point natin, ang tingin sa Pilipino ay ‘yun na nga ‘chill’ at madaling kausap. That’s a big help pagka you’re trying to find consensus,” President Marcos said.

The President stressed that the Filipinos’ nature of being lighthearted and approachable continues to serve the country well, especially in international relations.

“I agree. Sa palagay ko naman totoo din naman na talagang ganoon ang Pinoy. Magaan ang ugali ng Pinoy talaga. And that is to our advantage,” President Marcos said.

“We will present always the best possible side so that we are met with the most possible successes,” the President added.

Asked what image the Philippines intends to project as ASEAN Chair in 2026, President Marcos gladly replied: “chill and hospitable.”

President Marcos formally received the ASEAN chairmanship gavel from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the symbolic handover at the closing ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit, marking the Philippines’ assumption of the ASEAN chairship next year.

The Philippines last hosted the ASEAN Summit in 2017. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the Philippines is more than ready to lead the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, when the Philippines assumes the Chairship of the 11-nation bloc.

The President assured that the Philippines is fully capable and ready to host the biannual international event, particularly in terms of logistics and infrastructure.

Aside from the physical preparations involved in hosting the next ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, the Philippines has also prepared the agenda for next year.

“When you are the Chair of ASEAN, you lead. And that is what we are ready to do because we have a very, very good idea of what the elements are that we feel need to be part of the discussions of ASEAN during our Chairship,” President Marcos said during the Kapihan with the Media in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday.

“We are now in the process of putting together the different elements of where we think ASEAN should be focusing,” the President said during the media interview, capping his successful participation in the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits from October 26 to 28.

“So one of the things is the COC, for example. Number one para sa atin. The other member states, that’s not as a big priority to them as it is to us. So, this is our chance to really promote that and to highlight that, and hopefully we will succeed,” the President said, referring to the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea being negotiated among ASEAN member states and China.

President Marcos said the country has been preparing since early this year, relating a conversation with outgoing ASEAN Chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim about Malaysia’s hosting of the Summit.

“And he said, ‘You know this is what we’re having to do and these are the things that we are having to arrange. It’s a big…’ And so immediately I said, ‘We’re next, we have to start preparing,” the President said.

“So we have been preparing for it for about, eight months now, since nag-usap kami ni Anwar. Sabi ko, ‘Wow, malaking bagay pala ito. Ang dami palang kailangang gawin.’ So, pinaghahandaan na talaga namin. So, ‘yan, we are prepared,” the President stated. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. explained the need not to rush the legal cases being prepared against those believed to have pocketed billions of pesos in public funds from anomalous flood control and other projects, in order not to jeopardize the cases and result in their dismissal.

During the Kapihan with the Media in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday, President Marcos said he understood that many feel frustrated that those who have been identified to be involved in the wide-scale corruption are not yet put behind bars.

“I understand the frustration because we do have a very good idea about who these people are. But you have to take them to court. You have to present evidence. They have to be convicted,” President Marcos said in the media interview at the end of his four-day visit where he joined other world leaders in the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits from October 26 to 28.

“And as I’m sure anyone who has been involved in any kind of legal proceeding we are all very frustrated, especially non-lawyers are very frustrated by how long it takes. Ang sagot naman ng mga abogado sa atin is that may kasabihan sa kanila: The wheels of justice grind slowly but they grind very well. So, we are counting on that,” the President said.

Saying that he personally receives messages daily clamoring to put to jail the suspects in the flood control corruption and to forfeit their assets, President Marcos explained the need to observe due process and proper evidence gathering to ensure that the legal cases are airtight.

“Can you imagine these people who have stolen billions from the government and from the people, nakawala dahil hindi maganda pag-handle ng evidence? That would be a much worse result. So due process must be observed,” said the Chief Executive.

The President said those who stole public funds should be made to pay for their crimes through the legal system.

“I think it’s more important that we get one chance at this. Isa lang ang chance natin. We cannot waste that opportunity to bring those people to justice and to bring justice to the Filipino people,” said President Marcos.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in accordance with international law.

In his arrival message after attending the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, President Marcos emphasized that the country will observe international law in defending jurisdiction in the WPS.

“I reaffirmed that the Philippines will continue to remain firm, calm, and resolute in defending our sovereignty, our sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea in accordance with, of course, international law,” the President added.

The reaffirmation came amid continuing tensions and recent incidents in the WPS involving Chinese vessels in areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The President’s statement reflects the government’s consistent approach of firm diplomacy and adherence to international law—particularly the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea that upholds the country’s maritime entitlements.

The President also underscored the importance of collaborating with like-minded nations to pursue shared goals for regional stability and growth.

“We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with all countries who share our values and our commitment to peace, to stability, and to economic progress.”

President Marcos added that ASEAN leaders also addressed pressing regional concerns, particularly the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, and emphasized the bloc’s unified support for a peaceful resolution.

“The leaders and I also discussed the ongoing situation in Myanmar and the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus to bring about a peaceful and lasting solution, which is Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led,” the President said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that the Philippines will assume the ASEAN Chairship in 2026, following Malaysia’s term.

In his arrival statement after attending the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, President Marcos vowed to continue ASEAN’s thrust toward unity, inclusivity, and sustainability as the region navigates future challenges together.

The President met with leaders of Cambodia, Canada, Thailand, Japan, the EU, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Nations Secretary-General, and discussed ways to further strengthen our partnerships and expand cooperation in strategic areas.

“I thank them for expressing their support for our ASEAN Chairship in 2026,” President Marcos added.

The President also said “the Philippine delegation and I are grateful to Malaysia, the Chair of ASEAN this year, and our generous host for the successful 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits and 2025 Chairship of ASEAN.”

“During the closing ceremony of the summits, Malaysia turned over the ASEAN Chairship to us. As the 2026 Chair of ASEAN, the Philippines looks forward to building on the gains of Malaysia’s inclusivity and sustainability theme and carry ASEAN forward as we, as is our theme, ‘Navigate our Future, Together,” President Marcos said.

President Marcos also shared that “during this past 47th summit, we welcomed the full accession of Timor-Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN. This is a historic step that reaffirms ASEAN’s commitment to unity and inclusivity.”

“We remain committed to pursuing initiatives that will support Timor-Leste’s capacity to assume its obligations as a full member of ASEAN, with the end goal of further building a people-centered ASEAN,” the President noted. | PND

President Marcos highlighted the Philippines’ support for stronger regional economic cooperation, sustainable growth, and fair trade during the ASEAN Summit, reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to an open and rules-based multilateral trading system.

“I have just attended the 47th ASEAN Summit and related summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The summit was once again an opportunity to discuss among our fellow ASEAN member states and partners how to navigate our future together amidst the various geopolitical and economic challenges that we face domestically, bilaterally, regionally, and globally,” President Marcos said in his arrival messages.

The President highlighted that economic resilience and sustainability were central themes during the discussions, with ASEAN leaders and global partners focusing on strategies to ensure long-term regional growth.

“The leaders and I spoke about future-proofing our region through economic cooperation and sustainable growth. We heard discussions from the IMF, from the BRICS group, from the G20, amongst others. We reaffirmed ASEAN’s collective commitment to a rules-based, open, inclusive, transparent, and non-discriminatory multilateral system,” President Marcos emphasized.

“We strengthened our trade with external partners with upgrades in the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, amendments in our free trade agreements, and utilization of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP,” the President noted.

President Marcos underscored the importance of strengthening regional trade agreements to ensure continued economic resilience and investor confidence amid global uncertainties.

“At a time when the rules-based trading system faces significant challenges, these agreements will provide transparency, stability, and predictability, key foundations for building confidence among businesses and investors, and for sustaining ASEAN’s role as a driver of regional and global growth,” the President added.

“This economic development goes hand in hand with strengthening the social-cultural community. We discussed the progress achieved and the actions moving forward for the environment, climate change, education, green jobs, and health,” President Marcos said.

The President noted that “during this summit, the ASEAN leaders and I met with our counterparts from the United States, from Japan, India, China, the Republic of Korea, the United Nations, New Zealand, and Australia. I highlighted the progress of our dialogue partnerships and how we envision the way forward together.”

“On the sidelines of the summit, I met leaders and discussed ways to further strengthen our partnerships and expand cooperation in strategic areas. I met with the leaders of Cambodia, Canada, Thailand, Japan, the EU, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, and with the United Nations Secretary General,” President Marcos said.

“We reaffirmed our commitment to deepen bilateral relations and discussed cooperation on many fields of mutual interest, fields such as security and defense, maritime, climate action, trade, investment, agriculture, and people-to-people relations,” the President added. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the Tatak Pinoy Strategy (TPS), a comprehensive national plan to strengthen Philippine industries, boost local production, and enhance the global competitiveness of Filipino goods and services.

President Marcos signed Memorandum Circular No. 104, directing all national government agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and local government units (LGUs) to support the implementation of the strategy, which the Tatak Pinoy Council developed through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in consultation with key stakeholders.

MC 104 provided that Republic Act (RA) No. 11981, or the “Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act,” was enacted to encourage, support, and promote the production and offering of Philippine products and services that are increasingly diverse, sophisticated, and globally competitive.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the TP Council formulated the TPS through an inclusive, consultative, and evidence-based process in coordination with government agencies, the business sector, research institutions, and other key stakeholders.

The TP Council is also mandated to formulate and submit for the President’s approval the Tatak Pinoy Strategy (TPS), which shall outline the strategy and action plans at the national, provincial, city, and municipal levels, to expand and diversify the productive capacities of domestic enterprises and empower them to produce increasingly sophisticated goods and services that can compete in the global market.

The DTI, in coordination with the Presidential Communications Office, is directed to disseminate the official copy of the TPS to all concerned government agencies and offices, and to make the TPS publicly accessible through the DTI’s official website and other appropriate platforms to promote transparency and stakeholder engagement. PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s participation in the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in South Korea will provide an opportunity for the Chief Executive to encourage South Korean companies to explore and expand investments in the Philippines, a foreign affairs official said on Tuesday.

“Yes, these are opportunities for us to get more investments from the Republic of Korea,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson Angelica Escalona said in a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang when asked about encouraging South Korean companies to invest in the Philippines.

Escalona said President Marcos will travel to Busan and Gyeongju, South Korea, from October 30 to November 2 at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung.

Escalona added that aside from the APEC Leaders Meeting, the President will attend the Leaders’ Dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

The President is also expected to deliver a speech at the APEC CEO Summit, which brings together representatives from APEC members and top business executives to discuss key economic issues facing the region.

President Marcos will highlight new technologies and economic integration during the CEO meeting, which will be attended by business leaders, industry decision-makers, and innovators from APEC member economies. PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the Philippines is committed to engage the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China in diplomacy and mutually beneficial cooperation in the South China Sea while asserting the Philippines’ rights under international law.

President Marcos said the Philippines continues to work with ASEAN towards an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, “one that is consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), does not diminish the rights and interest of third parties, and can effectively govern the behavior of Parties at sea.”

“The Philippines stands ready to work with ASEAN and China to translate our commitments into meaningful outcomes through mutually beneficial cooperation. It must be clear, however, that this cooperation cannot exist alongside coercion,” President Marcos said during the 28th ASEAN-China Summit on Tuesday, the third and last day of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“By grounding our partnership in mutual respect for sovereign equality and adherence to international law as guiding principles, we can ensure that ASEAN-China cooperation continues to deliver tangible and meaningful benefits to our peoples while advancing our shared vision of peace, stability, prosperity, and sustainability in the region,” the President added.

President Marcos urged ASEAN and China to explore cooperative activities within the framework of the Declaration on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

The President raised possible scientific cooperation, such as on ocean meteorology, to ensure maritime safety, mitigate risks to marine biodiversity in the high seas, and help implement the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).

The President also suggested cooperation to prevent risks of incidents from occurring, such as mechanisms that would enable artisanal fisherfolk to access their traditional fishing grounds without interference or arrangements that will limit activities in uninhabited features.

“Of course, if we truly want a pathway for the South China Sea to remain a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity for all, we should not lose sight of the importance of self-restraint on everyone’s part. Otherwise, the failure to restrain provocative and dangerous actions further threatens the peace and stability that we have collectively built and cultivated over the years,” President Marcos said.

The President expressed concern that incidents in the South China Sea persist where Filipino fisherfolk and Philippine vessels and aircraft continue to face dangerous actions and harassment.

President Marcos said unilateral declarations of marine protection zones, such as the “nature reserve” in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal – an integral and longstanding part of Philippine territory – violate Philippine sovereignty and territory as well as international law.

“Such actions cannot hide under the veneer of marine environmental protection because it has no legal basis or effect, clearly disregards international law, and infringes on the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” President Marcos said.

“Nevertheless, the Philippines remains committed to diplomacy and dialogue as the means to assert its rights and entitlements under international law. We will continue to engage constructively to manage differences,” said the President.

The President cited the Philippines’ Provisional Understanding with China through which 10 rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal have been completed without any untoward incident.

“Our Provisional Understanding is but one demonstration of how effective diplomacy and candid dialogue can ease tensions and produce positive outcomes that help manage the situation at sea, without prejudicing national positions. We should widen our diplomatic creativity for this purpose,” the Philippine leader said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged fellow leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen collaboration with New Zealand in the areas of maritime cooperation, economic growth, sustainable agriculture, and people-to-people exchange.

In his intervention during the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday, President Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to advancing ASEAN–New Zealand relations, especially as New Zealand seeks to elevate relations with ASEAN to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

“Over the past fifty years of ASEAN–New Zealand Dialogue Relations, New Zealand has consistently upheld and recognized ASEAN Centrality,” President Marcos said.

President Marcos expressed confidence that deeper engagement between ASEAN and New Zealand will be achieved through the four pillars of cooperation such as peace, prosperity, people, and planet.

The President thanked New Zealand for its continued support of ASEAN’s maritime priorities, highlighting initiatives such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Workshops on Implementing United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Other Maritime Issues and the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Marine Debris Workshop, which have been valuable in addressing emerging maritime challenges in the region.

“As a maritime and archipelagic nation, the Philippines greatly values New Zealand’s efforts in advancing ASEAN’s maritime priorities, anchored on international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” President Marcos said.

The Chief Executive also welcomed the entry into force of the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), expressing optimism that it will expand market access, enhance regulatory certainty, and open new opportunities in e-commerce, sustainable trade, and micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) empowerment.

President Marcos further underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation in sustainable agriculture and fisheries, citing New Zealand’s expertise in agritech, sustainable farming, and value-chain integration as vital to strengthening livelihoods, raising standards, and enhancing food security across ASEAN communities.

The President also acknowledged New Zealand’s continued efforts in deepening people-to-people connections through initiatives such as the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, which provide ASEAN scholars access to higher education and promote cultural exchange.

For the Philippines, President Marcos noted the value of the Mindanao Young Leaders Programme, which strengthens the capacities of young community leaders from civil society organizations in Mindanao.

President Marcos likewise recognized New Zealand’s contribution to the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, headquartered in the Philippines, and expressed readiness to deepen cooperation in biodiversity and species conservation.

Concluding his intervention, President Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ strong support for the ASEAN–New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the establishment of a biennial ASEAN–New Zealand Summit.

The President also underscored the importance of implementing the ASEAN–New Zealand Plan of Action 2026–2030 and aligning with the ASEAN Vision 2045, which he said will “elevate our partnership to new heights for the benefit of our peoples.”

“Over the five decades of our partnership, ASEAN and New Zealand have achieved much together, and we are confident that we will accomplish even more in the decades ahead,” President Marcos said. | PND