Marcos to face media in Cebu as Asean Summit opens Friday
CEBU CITY, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will hold a press conference in Cebu on Friday as the Philippines hosts the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Lapu-Lapu City.
The Palace scheduled the press briefing at the International Media Center following a full day of high-level meetings among Asean leaders in Cebu.
Marcos, who chairs this year’s summit, will lead discussions centered on regional stability, food and energy security, economic cooperation, and supply chain concerns amid ongoing global tensions and disruptions.
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The presidential press conference comes as all Asean member states, except Myanmar, confirmed participation in the summit hosted by the Philippines from May 6 to 8.
Dax Imperial, spokesperson for Asean at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), earlier announced that heads of state from 10 Asean member countries confirmed attendance in Cebu.
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Myanmar, meanwhile, sent its Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs as representative following Asean’s standing decision regarding Myanmar’s political situation.
“We are guided by the leaders’ decision […] Because of the situation in Myanmar, the decision is for the representation of the Permanent Secretary [of Myanmar],” Imperial explained during a briefing on Wednesday.
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Friday’s summit activities include the official opening ceremony, plenary discussions, retreat sessions among leaders, bilateral meetings, and a gala dinner.
Among Marcos’ scheduled engagements include a bilateral meeting with Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
Government officials expect Marcos to address key summit developments and agreements during the press conference, including Asean’s response to global economic uncertainty, energy concerns, and regional cooperation initiatives.
The Asean Summit serves as the bloc’s highest policy-making platform where leaders discuss political, economic, security, and socio-cultural concerns affecting the region.
This year’s summit carries added significance as Southeast Asian nations confront rising energy costs, supply chain instability, and geopolitical tensions linked to conflicts in the Middle East and other parts of the world.
The Philippine government earlier said it implemented cost-saving measures for the summit by compressing activities into two days and shifting several meetings online.
According to DFA officials, the move allowed the government to reduce logistical and operational expenses while maintaining key diplomatic engagements.
The Philippines last hosted the Asean Summit in 2017 under then-President Rodrigo Duterte.
Security operations in Cebu and Mactan Island remained tight on Friday as delegates, foreign dignitaries, and international media continued arriving for the summit and related meetings.
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