President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. left Manila on Saturday morning for Kuala Lumpur to join fellow Southeast Asian leaders at the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits — a crucial three-day meeting that will culminate with the Philippines formally assuming the bloc’s rotating chairmanship.
The presidential flight took off from Villamor Air Base at 11:11 a.m., carrying the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, with their arrival in Malaysia expected by mid-afternoon. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III were designated to oversee national affairs in Marcos’s absence until his return on October 28.
This year’s ASEAN gathering, hosted by Malaysia, is expected to focus on regional security, economic recovery, digital integration, and sustainable growth amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and climate challenges. The Philippines’ upcoming chairmanship in 2026 is anticipated to mark a pivotal moment, as Marcos has repeatedly emphasized the need for a “stronger, more unified ASEAN voice” on regional and global issues.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Marcos will participate in 14 high-level dialogues and three signing ceremonies during the summit. Among the highlights will be the adoption of new frameworks on energy transition, digital innovation, and maritime cooperation — key areas where Manila hopes to play a larger leadership role.
The DFA confirmed that Marcos is also expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with other heads of state, including ASEAN partners such as Japan, Australia, and South Korea, to discuss trade, infrastructure, and defense cooperation.
This Malaysia trip kicks off a busy diplomatic stretch for the President. After the ASEAN Summit, he is slated to head to Seoul for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit from October 31 to November 1, underscoring his administration’s focus on economic diplomacy and strengthening ties with regional allies.
As the Philippines prepares to take the ASEAN helm, observers say Marcos’s back-to-back summit appearances reflect Manila’s renewed bid to assert its place in the region — not just as a participant, but as a proactive voice in shaping Southeast Asia’s future.