Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771912405433HB5EI2FakAEBCOa.jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="The Philippines formally kicks off its ASEAN 2026 chairship with the ASEAN Editors &amp; Economic Opinion Leaders Forum in Makati. Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Philippines formally kicks off its ASEAN 2026 chairship with the ASEAN Editors &amp; Economic Opinion Leaders Forum in Makati. <em>Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span>MANILA  - The Philippines formally kicks off ASEAN business investment promotion activities with a forum in Makati City. </div><p>Trade Secretary Cristina Roque welcomed the delegates from across Southeast Asia adding that they will convene more than 500 strategic engagements across the region this year. She added that the Philippines now has to widest network of free trade agreements in its history — with 20 FTA partners and more are coming.</p><p>“There’s a lot of opportunities talaga that we can get from ASEAN. ASEAN is a very strong force to reckon with,” Roque told reporters at the sideline of the forum.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/1/30/asean-tourism-sectoral-plan-2026-2030-to-focus-on-route-connectivity-gastronomy-1847">ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan 2026-2030 to focus on route connectivity, gastronomy</a></div><p>Finance Secretary Frederick Go also highlighted the Philippines’ economic story with reforms being implemented to further attract more investments. He mentioned about the potential of public-private partnerships and several recent policy reforms.</p><p>“The Philippines aims not only to benefit from ASEAN investment flows, but to serve as a working model for how sound policy, investment facilitation, strong public private partnerships can translate into measurable outcomes, competitive returns,” Go said.</p><p>Roque added that one of the topics that may be discussed in the coming weeks is a possible unified stand of the region on the US tariffs issue. She said they are still reviewing the new tariff announcement mentioned by US President Donald Trump.</p><p>“We haven’t spoken about that, but once there are changes then mag-uusap talaga kami,” she said.</p><p>But despite tariff concerns, Roque said she is confident of trade growth of the country this year. She said exports grew last year and targets have been increased this year.</p><p>“Our exports were up last year — the highest ever and then we’ve put our targets up to — last year 84.4 billion tayo, ngayon magiging 116 to 120 billion [dollars]. Global na kasi, we just don’t focus on the US market,” Roque said.</p><p>The trade chief also mentioned of a possible major investment in the manufacturing sector in the Philippines. She refused to disclose more information saying talks are still ongoing, but the possibility is huge.</p><p>“Definitely, yes may papasok na EV manufacturing… it’s still in talks, but alam mo yung talks that’s really progressing,” she added.</p><p>The ASEAN Editors and Economic Opinion Leaders Forum is the first of many major engagements of the Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN 2026. More meetings are scheduled all throughout the year.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/2/marcos-jr-convenes-palace-meeting-to-review-asean-hosting-preparations-1445">Marcos Jr. convenes Palace meeting to review ASEAN hosting preparations</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MZJMWF2Lv7Y?si=p0302kzR-h3H9gjK" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Philippines formally kicks off ASEAN business investment promotion activities with a forum in Makati City.</p>

The Philippines formally kicks off ASEAN business investment promotion activities with a forum in Makati City.

PH chairship of ASEAN focuses on trade, investment

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PH chairship of ASEAN focuses on trade, investment

Jekki Pascual,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 24, 2026 04:16 PM PHT

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Updated February 26, 2026 04:22 PM PHT

Read More:

asean

asean summit

philippines

dti

department of trade and industry

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