President Marcos appealed to fellow Southeast Asian leaders to come up with an enforceable legislation that would reinforce the peaceful settlement of regional disputes and ensure every stakeholder nation’s adherence to the rule of law.
Speaking at the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) dialogue on Wednesday, President Marcos emphasized the need for regional unity amid growing geopolitical tensions.
Mr. Marcos noted how rapid changes in global dynamics, marked by rising strategic competition and random shifts, are challenging the established rules-based international system. He urged lawmakers to introduce laws and develop policies that would strengthen the bloc’s regional priorities.
“We call for the enactment of responsive legislation, the development of innovative policies, and the provision of adequate resources and incentives that would advance ASEAN’s regional priorities” he said.
Although he did not mention specific countries, the President’s remarks came after recent tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where China’s use of water cannons and ship-ramming incidents defied a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims.
“It is imperative that inter-parliamentary diplomacy be conducted with full respect for the Centrality of ASEAN, in line with our collective vision for the region,” Mr. Marcos added in his statement.
The President also stressed that ASEAN must focus on enhancing economic integration, improving infrastructure, bolstering supply chain connectivity, advancing national cybersecurity, and ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security to remain resilient in the face of emerging threats.
