Kuala lumpur: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. addressed concerns regarding corruption issues in the Philippines, assuring that they will not impact the nation’s preparations for hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in 2026.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a media interview in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, President Marcos stated that local issues such as alleged anomalies in flood control projects have no relevance to the Philippines’ role as the ASEAN chair in the upcoming summit. He emphasized that domestic political issues of any member state do not interfere with ASEAN’s objectives and initiatives.
Marcos further clarified that discussions within ASEAN are not influenced by the internal matters of member countries. He stated that these issues do not affect the decisions or directions ASEAN aims to pursue. Marcos also mentioned that domestic concerns of each member state are irrelevant to ASEAN’s decision-making processes.
The President highlighted that he does not have the authority to dictate how fellow ASEAN leaders should address corruption, acknowledging that each country has its own methods for tackling the issue. Despite being designated as the ASEAN chair for 2026, Marcos expressed that it is not appropriate for him to advise other leaders on combating corruption. He noted the diversity in leadership within ASEAN, which includes presidents, prime ministers, and a king, emphasizing mutual respect for each nation’s governance approach.
Marcos concluded by affirming that the Philippines is prepared to host the ASEAN summit in 2026, ensuring the country’s commitment to the event.
