By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday hosted a dinner for his fellow Southeast Asian leaders at Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu, on the eve of the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings.
Marcos, accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, had the opportunity to hold candid talks with the leaders a day before the formal opening of the summit.
“We spoke candidly, we listened, and we reminded one another of the trust that holds this region together,” he said in a Facebook post on Friday.
“As Chair this year, the Philippines is honored to help guide ASEAN forward in a spirit of unity, stability, and shared purpose,” Marcos added.
Marcos shared photos of the dinner with fellow ASEAN leaders.
In one of the photos, Marcos was seen conversing with Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who was joined by his son, Prince Abdul Mateen.
He also exchanged pleasantries with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
The ASEAN leaders also mingled during the dinner and posed for a group photo.
Other leaders present during the dinner were Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng, and Myanmar’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs U Hau Khan Sum.
Spouses of the ASEAN leaders also attended the gathering.
The 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits gather leaders of the regional bloc to discuss key issues affecting Southeast Asia, including regional security, economic cooperation, digital transformation, climate action, and maritime concerns.
This year’s summit is chaired by the Philippines, with Marcos leading discussions centered on regional unity, stability, and inclusive growth.
Established in 1967, ASEAN aims to foster political and economic cooperation, uphold regional peace and stability, and advance shared prosperity among its member states.
The summit also serves as a platform for ASEAN leaders to strengthen collaboration with dialogue partners and address emerging regional and global challenges. (PNA)
