Preparing for Christmas and the ASEAN Summit

Christmas is in two days and the ASEAN Summit is in 2026. With too much social and political turbulence related to the flood-control fiasco and the budget manipulations imbroglio, are we really in the mood of preparing for Christmas as well as to host the next ASEAN Summit? What happens if that very important regional and global event is visited by a strong typhoon or an earthquake?

Our unsolicited advice: Focus on security for the heads of states and their wives. Gain diplomatic mileage against the bullying of China. Take advantage of the summit as a platform to boost investment and tourism. And hold the summit in Clark.

Identify main focus goals. The first is uncompromising security for the 11 heads of states; create a team of experienced global conference convenors to implement the plan on the ground. The Philippine planning and implementing team should work closely with Kao Kim Houm, the ASEAN secretary-general from Cambodia. Put up a joint security task force composed of the highest military and police officials of all the 11 member-states. Consider all possibilities. Prepare all assets, air, sea and land emergency transport systems.

All the heads of states and/or governments of the 11 member states are attending. It’s possible the U.S. president will also be attending, together with heads of states of allied nations including Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, and some NATO dignitaries and diplomats. We don’t expect China and Russia to be invited, much less invite themselves, considering the adverse things they have done in the West Philippine Sea, and other sensitive areas involving regional security and territorial integrity.

For security reasons, it’s best to hold the summit in Clark. The petty politicians in Mactan have already recklessly exposed the top-secret or highly-classified information of the U.S. missiles being stored in the Benito Ebuen Airbase right in the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. That made the area an inviting target for military attack by unfriendly neighbors, foremost of which we all know to be the country which is the favorite of the Dutertes. It’s thus insensitive for us to hold the summit in Cebu, with its problematic traffic, flood and other problems.

Clark is more manageable. The first ladies have many places to go for tourism, culture, and the arts. The heads of states and governments can have one night of boxing exhibitions with legendary Manny Pacquiao and his two sons while the wives of the prime ministers and presidents can have a night of world-class music with Lea Salonga, Jessica Sanchez, Dulce, Regine Velasquez, Lani Misalucha, Sofronio Vasquez, Martin Nievera, and Gary Valenciano. The Madrigal Singers and the Bayanihan Dancers can also add luster to such an awesome night.

All flights from the member-states and back should be direct to and from Clark. They should be saved from the horrendous air and land traffic of Metro Manila or Metro Cebu. All five-star hotels in Clark should be reserved exclusively for the ASEAN. The president shouldn’t leave any stone unturned for this highly-important event. The politicians here, especially those tainted with controversies should stay away. This is a game of diplomats, not an arena for trapos and flood-control thieves.

Sometime in 2005, Malaysia hosted the ASEAN Summit and I was then a diplomat assigned to Kuala Lumpur. I was assigned by our ambassador to serve as adviser to the Philippine delegation. I also guided the party of President GMA, together with the then Governor Gwen Garcia and Mayor Tommy Osmeña (they were still friends) as well as Ambassador Frank Benedicto. I guided them to Putra Jaya, to Genting Highlands, then to Penang Malacca, and Johor. I hope Vice Mayor Tom remembers and former Governor Gwen doesn’t forget those exciting days in Kuala Lumpur in 2005.

Thus, I have some limited but first-hand ideas on hosting an ASEAN Summit if some would need any unsolicited advice. But of course, there are thousands of brilliant minds out there. We failed in 2007, we missed the opportunities in 2015. We can never duplicate what was done in 1987. The Filipinos have a lot to learn from Malaysians. It’s time that we upscale our standards.

The summit of 2026 is a tremendous opportunity to show that the Philippines is one of the best in Asia and the world. We need to rise over and above our anxieties and tensions and gain a mileage out of this very important global and regional event.