Camille Naredo

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña meets Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang, May 11, 2026. Handout/Presidential Communications Office

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña meets Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang, May 11, 2026.

Article (news)

PH-MARCOS

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778490651535694703477_1398754335610622_2240588879990555443_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Paraguayan President Santiago Peña meets Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang, May 11, 2026. Handout/Presidential Communications Office" width="960"/>Paraguayan President Santiago Peña meets Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang, May 11, 2026. Handout/Presidential Communications Office</div>MANILA — Paraguay is committed to upholding &quot;stability and multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific,&quot; Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios said on Monday during his meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang.Peña urged Marcos — the current chairperson of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — to accede in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia, a legally-binding document outlining principles of peaceful coexistence and friendly cooperation among States in Southeast Asia. Paraguay&#x27;s &quot;accession to the TAC is not a symbolic act. It is a strategic declaration that positions Paraguay as an actor committed to stability and multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific,&quot; Peña said during his series of meetings with Marcos.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/11/philippines-paraguay-ink-visa-free-deal-for-ordinary-passport-holders-1334">READ: Philippines, Paraguay ink visa-free deal for ordinary passport holders</a></div>&quot;This decision reflects our firm determination to integrate into the regional dialogue and cooperation mechanism in line with the principles of peace, respect for sovereignty and the peaceful settlement of dispute that guides Paraguay&#x27;s foreign policy,&quot; he said.&quot;These shared principles and values provide a lasting foundation for our relationship.&quot;While China is also a signatory of the TAC, Beijing has been repeatedly criticized for interfering in the exclusive economic zones of smaller economies in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.While Paraguay neither mentioned other countries or regional issues, Peña — who visited Taiwan before heading to Manila — underscored that his country has been observing &quot;with great interest the dynamics of this region and the role that the Philippines plays in the Indo-Pacific.&quot;Peña emphasized that both &quot;Paraguay and the Philippines share a converged vision of the international order, the rule of law, respect for sovereignty, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the promotion of multilateralism, and a commitment to an international system based on clear and predictable rules.&quot;The Philippines is &quot;a nation that embodies a vibrant democracy and a spirit of openness that I deeply admire,&quot; said the first Paraguayan President to visit Manila in an official capacity.&quot;This visit carries a historic significance that cannot be overlooked,&quot; he said.&quot;It is the clearest expression of political will of both governments to inaugurate a new phase in our bilateral relations, grounded in shared principles and values such as mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the economic development of our people,&quot; he added.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/11/marcos-meets-pe-a-in-malaca-ang-as-ph-paraguay-eye-deeper-trade-relations-1045">READ: Marcos meets Paraguay&#x27;s Peña in Malacañang as both eye deeper trade relations</a></div>Paraguay — a landlocked South American country — has been pushing to position itself as &quot;a key logistics bridge between the Atlantic and the Pacific.&quot;&quot;I am confident that this first presidential visit will open a path of mutual understanding, joint work, and tangible benefit for both the Filipino and the Paraguayan people,&quot; Peña said.&quot;I have the confidence that we both came to this first meeting with high expectations, but I&#x27;m leaving this great nation with even greater expectations about the future of our two nations and our people.&quot;Marcos thanked his Paraguayan counterpart for traveling to the Philippines for a 2-day official visit, guaranteeing that their meeting would &quot;help bilateral relations deepen… to enhance existing cooperation to chart the course for a reinvigorated, productive, and sustained collaboration.&quot;&quot;As we convene this historic bilateral meeting, the Philippines and us Filipinos… extend our hand of friendship and partnership to Paraguay as we continue to build our relations towards a future where our two peoples enjoy the benefits of stronger political, economic, and people-to-people ties,&quot; the Filipino leader said.Marcos Jr. is the current chairperson of the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), while Palacios heads the pro tempore presidency of the Mercado Comun del Sur (MERCOSUR) which covers nearly the entire South American economy.Both leaders are expected to end their respective terms in 2028.

Paraguay is committed to upholding "stability and multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific," Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios said on Monday during his meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang.

Paraguay is committed to upholding "stability and multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific," Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios said on Monday during his meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang.

Peña tells Marcos: Paraguay committed to 'stability, multilateralism in Indo-Pacific'

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Peña tells Marcos: Paraguay committed to 'stability, multilateralism in Indo-Pacific'

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 11, 2026 05:17 PM PHT

Read More:

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Santiago Peña Palacios

Treaty of Amity and Cooperation

diplomacy

Paraguay

Philippines

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