Marcos flying to Laos for ASEAN Summit

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos will depart for Vientiane, Laos today for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, where he is expected to highlight the country’s position on key global issues, including recent developments in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will be held from Oct. 8 to 11 at the National Convention Center in Vientiane under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.”

Marcos is scheduled to meet the Filipino community at the Wanda Hotel in Vientiane upon his arrival today, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said at a pre-departure briefing on Friday.

Around 400 members of the community are expected to attend the gathering, Espiritu said, noting that most Filipinos in Laos are professionals and work in the hospitality industry.

On Oct. 9, the President will join other leaders at the opening and the plenary session of the 44th ASEAN Summit, which will be followed by the 45th ASEAN Summit Retreat Session.

In the afternoon, Marcos will attend three interfaces with sectoral bodies of ASEAN: the ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly (IPA), the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (BAC) and the ASEAN youth.

Speaker Martin Romualdez and Zamboanga Rep. Glona Labadlabad will join the President at the IPA meeting.

Acting Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque and representatives from the Philippine business sector, including Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, George Barcelon and Michael Tan, will join Marcos at the interface of the ASEAN BAC.

Meanwhile, the President will be accompanied by Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian and youth representatives from the Philippines, Ymari Kristia Pascua and Alfredo Sablay, at the leaders’ interface with the ASEAN youth.

On Oct. 10, the President will participate in the 27th ASEAN-China Summit, ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit, ASEAN-Japan Summit and ASEAN Plus Three Summit with China, Japan and Korea.

In the afternoon, Marcos will join the ASEAN-Australia Summit to be followed by an ASEAN-India Summit and the ASEAN-Canada Special Summit.

Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone will be hosting a gala