By Clarist Zablan
(September 5, 2023) – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday announced the Philippines is ready to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2026 after Myanmar withdrew from holding the chairmanship due to political crises at home.
Marcos made the announcement during an intervention at the plenary session of ASEAN Summit in Jakarta.
The Philippines was originally scheduled to host as chairman of the 10-member regional bloc in 2027, a position that rotates annually in alphabetical order of the English names of the member states. But Myanmar’s ruling generals wrote a letter to the Philippines asking Manila to take over, withdrawing its 2026 chairmanship in 2026, Southeast Asian diplomats said.
In announcing the Philippines’ 2026 chairmanship, Marcos pledged to work with partners to promote “peace, security, stability, and prosperity” in the region.
“It is my pleasure to announce that the Philippines is ready to take the helm and chair ASEAN in 2026,” Marcos said in an intervention during the 43rd ASEAN summit in Jakarta. “We will fortify the foundations of our community-building and navigate ASEAN as it embarks on a new chapter.”
Ibinida ni Pres. Bongbong Marcos ang kahandaan ng Pilipinas na maging host at chair ng ASEAN Summit sa 2026.
Sinabi ito ng Pangulo sa kaniyang intervention sa ASEAN Summit Plenary ng 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits sa Jakarta, Indonesia. #News5 pic.twitter.com/zyQKYO3b3Y
— News5 (@News5PH) September 5, 2023
Indonesia holds the seat of ASEAN this year. The chairmanship will be assumed by Laos in 2024 and Malaysia in 2025.
This was not the first time Myanmar skipped its ASEAN chairmanship. In 2006, Myanmar, which was also under a military regime at that time, gave up its turn to lead ASEAN in response to opposition from Western nations that wanted the country to restore democratic rule.
The unity of ASEAN, which has operated under the principle of non-interference, has been put to test by the crisis in Myanmar, which had erupted after the country’s generals deposed its elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021.
ASEAN has excluded Myanmar’s military rulers from attending the regional bloc’s senior-level meetings following the coup that has triggered violence in the country.
The 10-member bloc has agreed on a “five-point consensus” peace plan to tackle the crisis in Myanmar, but the peace plan has stalled.
Last Monday, ASEAN’s top diplomats reviewed the peace plan with Myanmar amid growing frustrations over its lack of progress. Malaysian foreign minister Zambry Abdul Kadir also called on its partners to impose “strong” measures against Myanmar’s generals for causing the plan to stall, Reuters reported.
(MM)
Our Privacy Commitment
TV5 Network Inc. values and respects your privacy. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its implementing rules and regulations.
We have developed a Privacy Policy that adopts and observes appropriate standards for personal data protection. While our Privacy Policy sets out the general principles governing the collection, use, and disclosure of our users’ personal information, our Privacy Commitment seeks to inform you more about TV5’s privacy practices.
Why do we collect your personal information (as applicable)?
We may collect and maintain basic information about you as site user of TV5 sites for the following purposes:
Where do we get your personal information?
There are several ways we collect your personal information.
Information that you personally provided.
Most of the personal information we have are those that you have provided us when you:
Information we collect during your engagement with us
We also collect information as you use our products and services, like:
Information we collect from other sources
Other means of collection of information may be through:
When do we disclose personal information?
There may be instances when we are required to share the information you provided us. In such cases, we ensure that your personal information will be disclosed on a confidential manner, through secure channels and in compliance with the Data Privacy Act and other privacy laws.
We will never share, rent, or sell your personal information to third parties outside of TV5 except in special cases where you have given consent, and in cases described in our privacy policy.
In some instances, we may be required to disclose your personal information to our agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, business partners and other third-party agencies and service providers as part of our regular business operations and for the provision of our programs and services. This means we might share your information with our service providers, contractors, and professional advisers who help us provide our services.
How we protect your personal information
The integrity, confidentiality, and security of your information is important to us. We have implemented technical, organizational, and physical security measures that are designed to protect your information from unauthorized or fraudulent access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, and other unlawful activities.
We also put in effect the following safeguards:
TV5 will not collect, use, or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than the purpose that you may have given your consent for.
What are your choices?
We make sure that we have your consent to continue to collect, use, and disclose your personal information for the purposes that we have identified. We want you to know that you may object or withdraw your consent and/or edit your consent preferences at any time.
If you wish to have access to the personal information in our custody or if you think that the personal information you provided is incomplete, or otherwise inaccurate, you may get in touch with our Data Protection Officer through the contact details provided below. In some instances, we may request for supporting documents or proof before we effect requested changes.
Data Protection Officer
TV5 Network Inc.
Reliance corner Sheridan Streets
Mandaluyong City
tv5dataprivacy@tv5.com.ph
What happens when there are changes in our Policy?
From time to time, we may update our privacy policy and practices to comply with changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, adapt to new technologies and protocols, and align with the best practices of the industry.
You will be provided notices if the changes are significant and, if we are required by law, we will obtain your updated consent.