Ordinary Filipinos will benefit from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s participation to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, Speaker Martin Romualdez said.
“Itong ASEAN Summit ay napakaganda at malaking tulong ‘to sa taong-bayan, Pilipino kasi ‘yung lahat ng mga bansa dito sa ASEAN, meeting dito, ay siyempre naman ‘yung mga pinag-uusapan dito ay mga common interest na kagaya ng trade, investments, at ‘yung pagkalapit ng mga bansa,” Romualdez said on Wednesday during an interview with the media at the Merourah Komodo Convention Center, Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.
“At saka siyempre ‘yung — kagaya ng mga peace process. Kinakumusta ni Pangulo si (Malaysian Prime Minister) Anwar (Ibrahim) sa BARMM, sa south at masaya naman si President Marcos na maganda naman ang progress at saka gusto rin nila umunlad ‘yung region. So, that’s just one example,” Romualdez said in referring to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The leader of the Philippine House of Representatives also cited the President’s bilateral meetings with the leaders of Lao PDR and Vietnam on Wednesday.
President Marcos and his fellow ASEAN leaders concluded the first day of the 42nd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Indonesia.
Lao PDR will be the next host for the ASEAN while Vietnam, on the other hand, is among the major suppliers of staple to the Philippines.
“We have also trade relations kagaya dito sa ating pagka import ng mga food commodities and other commodities na kailangan ng ating taong-bayan,” Romualdez said.
“So, this Summit is very important. Kaya itong mga ating mga relasyon naging mas matibay at lumalakas at ‘yung sinasabi na understanding and cooperation for peace, stability, and security within the region,” he said.
Among the President’s activities Wednesday was his attendance to the Opening and Plenary session of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, meeting with the representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), ASEAN Youth, ASEAN-Business Advisory Council and the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community Post 2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV).
Marcos also joined other leaders in the welcome dinner hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. (PND)
