Marcos back from ASEAN-Australia Summit

MELBOURNE, Australia – President Ferdinand ”Bongbong” Marcos Jr. arrived in Manila on Wednesday night following his participation at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit. 

The plane carrying Marcos and the Philippine delegation landed at the Villamor Air Base at 11:33 p.m. in the evening. 

Investments worth $1.53 billion were sealed between the Philippines and Australia at the sidelines of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit. 

The Summit commemorates the 50 years of ASEAN-Australia relations upon the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

”Well, I cannot see why that would not be a good idea. Australia has already been a very active part of ASEAN. And for all intents and purposes, really, in all but name, they are already members of ASEAN. Yes, I think they would be very welcome to join ASEAN,” Marcos said. 

The Philippine president has thanked Australia for its consistent support for the rule of law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as the 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated China’s massive claims in the South China Sea. —NB, GMA Integrated News