NAIA Terminal II, Pasay City
20 November 2015

Following the success of the Philippines’ hosting of the 23rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM), President Benigno S. Aquino III departed for Malaysia to attend the 27th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

One of the highlights of this year’s summit is the launching of the ASEAN Community that will foster stronger ties between the member economies.

“Sa‭ ‬ pamamagitan‭ ‬po ‭ ‬nito, ‬magiging‭ ‬mas maigting ang pagtutulungan‭ ng‭ mga kasaping bansa ‬sa pagpapaunlad‭ ng ekonomiya,‭‭ ‬pagpapatibay‭ ‬‬ng‭ ‬seguridad,‭ ‬at‭ pangangalaga‭ ‬ ‬sa mamamayan, lalo na ng mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan,” the President said in his keynote address.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

He added that he would take the opportunity to thank Southeast Asian leaders for their reliance and support to the “Daang Matuwid” thrust of the government, and also for their cooperation to strengthen the country’s security and assistance in promoting peaceful and fair resolution on the problems that the Philippines were facing.

“Habang‭ ‬ ‭ ‬pinagtitibay‭ ‬ ‭ ‬natin‭ ‬ ‭ ‬ang‭ ‬ ‭ ‬ating pakikipag-ugnayan‭ ‬ ‭ ‬sa‭ ‬ ‭ ‬ibang‭ ‬ ‭ ‬bansa,‭ ‬ ‭ ‬lalo‭ ‬ ‬ring‭ ‬ ‭ ‬yumayabong‭ ‬ ‭ ‬ang‭ ‬ ‭ ‬mga ipinunla nating positibong pagbabago sa ating lipunan. Sa patuloy nga po ninyong pagbibigay-lakas sa Daang Matuwid, makikilala ang kakayahan ng Pilipino, sa rehiyon at sa buong daigdig,” President Aquino said.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

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