At the close of the 2025 ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially accepted the bloc's chairmanship for 2026 from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. This handover places significant responsibilities on the Philippines, including advancing South China Sea code of conduct negotiations, addressing the Myanmar crisis, and navigating US-China trade tensions. Upon returning home, Marcos reaffirmed the country's firm stance on the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines' acceptance of the ASEAN chairmanship occurred at the close of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. described it as an 'enormous responsibility' that also offers 'great opportunities.' For 2026, Manila must address three major issues: finalizing the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, managing the ongoing Myanmar crisis, and steering through economic turbulence from the US-China trade war.
First, the COC negotiations, stalled for two decades. Marcos stated it tops his agenda, questioning how to make a treaty legally binding: 'If you sign a treaty, you are expected to be bound by it.' Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, noted that issues like enforcement mechanisms and coverage are not easily resolved. 'ASEAN chairs are essentially stewards who have to keep the issue moving,' Chong said. If concluded in 2026, Marcos is open to inviting Chinese President Xi Jinping to Manila for a signing ceremony, provided there is 'significant progress.'
However, the challenge extends beyond talks to Beijing's continued provocations in the South China Sea. A day before the handover, Marcos condemned China's plan to designate part of Scarborough Shoal as a nature reserve. Chinese Premier Li Qiang responded that it complies with Chinese law. 'I was just laying out the facts,' Marcos clarified. Some ASEAN members view the Philippines as 'provocative,' but others quietly support its stance, according to Chong. He advised: 'Continue focusing on the rule of law.'
Second, inherited crises like Myanmar, where the military junta remains defiant after the 2021 coup. ASEAN's five-point consensus has failed, and sham elections are scheduled for December 28, 2025. There was no agreement on sending observers, Marcos said: 'Everyone has a different idea.' If no consensus, 'the Philippines will move by itself.' This includes Thai-Cambodia border frictions.
Third, economic pressures from the trade war. Li Qiang urged ASEAN to 'close ranks' against 'bullying' from foreign powers, referring to US tariffs under Donald Trump. The summit signed an upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA 3.0), with bilateral trade at $771 billion last year. Marcos agreed that ASEAN should lead on South China Sea tensions, but the bloc's diversity makes it 'more likely for us to find a way forward.' Upon returning to the Philippines, Marcos reaffirmed resolve on the West Philippine Sea: 'firm, calm and resolute in defending our sovereignty... in accordance with international law.' He discussed harassment of Filipino fisherfolk and vessels in the WPS. He welcomed the 'chill dude' image of the Philippines in ASEAN, reflecting Filipino hospitality.