Authors: Joanne Lin|Aries A. Arugay
Publishe: 6 Mar 2026
When the Philippines assumed the ASEAN chairmanship on 1 January 2026 under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together”, expectations were high within ASEAN that Manila would steer ASEAN through a year marked by strategic uncertainty and accumulated regional pressures. The organisation continues to face political crises in Myanmar, persistent tensions in the South China Sea (SCS) and a broader environment in which the second Trump administration and geoeconomic competition continue to test ASEAN unity. Two months into the chairmanship, early meetings and diplomatic engagements offer initial signals of how Manila is positioning itself within these structural constraints.
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