The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) refrained from commenting on proposals to postpone the country’s hosting of the annual regional dialogues even as it underscored on Wednesday that the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit is central to the Philippines’ foreign policy.
In a news forum, DFA Secretary Theresa Lazaro said responding to postponement recommendations is not within the department’s authority, noting that the final decision rests with the Office of the President.
“I think there would be an appropriate time kung anong sasabihin po ng Palasyo (for what the Palace has to say) and coordination with the concerned government agencies,” she said at the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel. “Abangan na lang po ninyo at (Just wait for it since) we cannot make that decision.”
This statement comes in response to Senate leaders expressing support for postponing the Philippines’ hosting of the 2026 ASEAN Summit to save over ₱17 billion.
This year, a total of 104 closed-door working group meetings will be held across Metro Manila, with 77 Senior Officials Meetings (SOMs) scheduled in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. The 48th ASEAN Summit is set to convene in Cebu on May 8-9.
Furthermore, ministerial meetings are also anticipated in these regions.
The 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Activity of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) will take place in Metro Manila in July.
The ASEAN 2026 activities will be led and co-chaired by various government agencies, including the Presidential Communications Office, the DFA, and the Department of Tourism, among others.
In December, Congress approved ₱17.5 billion to fund the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Summits and related meetings.
When asked how the DFA can contribute following the president’s declaration of a state of national energy emergency, the foreign affairs secretary explained that the DFA’s primary role is to communicate the needs of government agencies to other countries through Philippine embassies.
“The only contribution, and I’ve been saying it several times, is we would like these government agencies to tell us their needs so that we can also convey to the different countries with our respective ambassadors,” Lazaro said.
“Nandoon na lang kami sa (We are only involved in terms of) coordination because (determining) the needs is really coming from the agencies concerned,” she added.
Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency, citing heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz as threats to the Philippines’ fuel supply and energy stability.
For its part, the Philippine embassies in the Middle East remained on alert to assist Filipino nationals, advising those in affected areas to stay indoors or in safe places and avoid public spaces as long as the situation remains unstable.
According to the DFA, around 2 million Filipino workers are in the Middle East, with 586 still awaiting repatriation and 1,199 seeking assistance as of March 24.
