Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Myanmar National Flag. 📷༘  Aboodi Vesakaran, Unsplash

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17696748619851769674859652.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Myanmar National Flag. 📷༘ Aboodi Vesakaran, Unsplash</div>MANDAUE CITY, Cebu (UPDATED) – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) failed to reach a consensus on recognizing the recently-held elections in Myanmar, where a pro-military party had declared victory. Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said “there was no consensus on endorsing these elections,” following the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat held here in Cebu. Myanmar had sent its Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the retreat.“In fact, there are many other issues like so there [are] really no results yet. They just finished the three phases  – the results. We don&#x27;t know what are the pronouncements after the results come in,” said Lazaro in a press briefing here at the International Media Center in Mandaue City. “As far as ASEAN collective view is concerned, there is no endorsement at this point in time,” she added.“It does not endorse the three-phases of elections that was held in Myanmar. (JC) There are nuances and permutations towards that,” she said. Lazaro said while this is the case, ASEAN member states can still conduct some discussions with Myanmar.“As a collective unit as ASEAN, this is something that has to be – there should be consensus in making certain decisions,” she said. An official earlier said foreign ministers were expected to exchange views on the implementation of the 5-point consensus (5PC) in Myanmar during the retreat – an ASEAN framework reached in 2021.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/1/25/final-round-of-myanmar-vote-set-to-seal-junta-ally-s-victory-1411">Final round of Myanmar vote set to seal junta ally&#x27;s victory</a></div>The main points of this consensus include ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid, and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar. As of now, Lazaro said ASEAN still “does not recognize” the Myanmar military junta. Despite this though, she said some ASEAN members are looking into the results of the three-phased elections. “Yes, they do not agree that this military government is not recognized, but as I said, evolving character. There&#x27;s no decision yet. So it seems that there are a number of very pragmatic way of looking at things that… might evolve into another policy decision at a certain point of time, but it is not as of this date,” she said. Lazaro said there would be several meetings on this matter. One of the determining elements, she said, are the pronouncements made by the military government. “ASEAN is of the view that compliance in the implementation of the five point consensus is something that will make things move. So we&#x27;re still looking into the matter. The representative of Myanmar was present during the discussions, and there have been some kind of pronouncements that came from the representative of Myanmar,” she said. Asked by reporters how many member-states expressed support on the elections, the DFA chief said some only viewed that the elections “might be something positive.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/29/asean-ministers-to-tackle-ways-to-move-forward-amid-myanmar-issues-1204">ASEAN foreign ministers to tackle ways to move forward amid issues in Myanmar–official </a></div>The election was held in three stages on Dec. 28, Jan. 11, and Jan. 25. Critics and observers said the junta-run elections were not fair, and were seen as something to validate the military’s rule. A constitution drafted under military rule also reserves 25 percent of seats in both chambers of parliament for the armed forces, with lawmakers voting jointly to elect the president.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said “there was no consensus on endorsing these elections,” following the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat held in Cebu.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said “there was no consensus on endorsing these elections,” following the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat held in Cebu.

DFA: No ASEAN consensus yet on recognizing Myanmar polls

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DFA: No ASEAN consensus yet on recognizing Myanmar polls

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 29, 2026 04:24 PM PHT

|

Updated January 29, 2026 06:16 PM PHT

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Association of Southeast Asian Nations

ASEAN

Myanmar

Department of Foreign Affairs

Theresa Lazaro

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