President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. will be participating in the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia from September 5 to 7, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu announced on Thursday.
In a press briefing at the Malacañang Palace, Espiritu said Marcos was among the leaders invited by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
He said the President is expected to attend 13 leaders’ level engagements where he will put forward the country's interest.
"He will highlight our advocacies in strengthening food and energy security, harnessing the potential of the digital and creative industries and MSMEs [micro, small, and medium enterprises], and addressing the impacts of climate change among others," Espiritu said.
The DFA official added that Marcos will also touch on topics like protecting migrant workers in crisis, combatting human trafficking, and other priority areas of cooperation with dialogue partners.
The Chief executive is also anticipated to promote a rules-based international order including the 92 UNCLOS, especially in the South China Sea, and uphold the country's freedom of navigation and overlight in the South China Sea.
When asked if Marcos would ask ASEAN leaders to give statement on the recent tension between China and the Philippines in Ayungin Shoal and controversial 10-dash-line map recently released by China, Espiritu affirmed that the latter do it.
"The Philippines is definitely pushing for a statement. But of course, I cannot give you yet the final text of that. Definitely, there are external partners who support us, but I cannot say at this point if it would be at the level of consensus in the end," he said.
On the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, Marcos is expected to hold bilateral meetings with four leaders namely, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Timor Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
This marks the President's second ASEAN Summit, he attended the 42nd Edition last May 10.
