All systems go for Philippines hosting of ASEAN – Palace

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April 24, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — It’s all systems go for the Philippines’ hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit next month despite a host of issues hounding the country’s political landscape, Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the personalities involved in the issues are not in preparations for the regional event, which will be held from May 7 to 8 in Cebu.

“According to our national organizing committee chair, ES (Executive Secretary) Ralph Recto, he reported and he
 updated the President and all systems go. We are ready,” the Palace press officer said at a briefing yesterday.

Castro was asked how controversies like the flood control scam-related allegations against former House speaker and Marcos’ cousin Martin Romualdez and the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte would affect the Philippines’ hosting of the summit.

“They (issues) will not affect the President because the President, the Cabinet and the concerned stakeholders are the one working on our hosting of the ASEAN,” she added.

The Philippines is a founding member of the ASEAN, which was formed in 1967 to promote political cooperation, economic integration and regional stability among Southeast Asian nations. This will be the fourth time the Philippines will host the ASEAN Summit. The country last hosted the event in 2017.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn held a bilateral meeting on strategic priorities and strengthening cooperation between the Philippines and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Kao received on Wednesday Lazaro at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat for a high-level bilateral meeting in Jakarta. The highlight of the visit was the “Handover of the Chairship Sculpture,” a gift presented by the Philippines to the ASEAN Secretariat.

The sculpture, “Vitality,” was created by renowned Philippine artist Impy Pilapil, especially for the Philippines’ Chairship under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.” The sculpture uses Romblon marble from the Philippines, as well as steel and glass, and draws inspiration from the unifying seas of ASEAN.

For the artist, the work is a tribute to ASEAN’s lasting bonds, nurturing unity, growth, and shared aspirations for a brighter future. — Pia Lee-Brago