Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the 13th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Law Ministers Meeting

Thank you very much, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida.

The ASEAN Secretary-General His Excellency Dr. Kim Hourn Kao and other officials of the ASEAN Secretariat; the ASEAN Law Ministers and Delegates; fellow workers in government; ladies and gentlemen.

Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. A good day to you all.

It is with great pride that I welcome you all here in Manila as we open the 13th ASEAN Law Ministers Meeting.

First established in Bali in 1986, this meeting has long been one of the sectoral bodies under the ASEAN Political Security Community Pillar.

When ASEAN first brought its law ministers together nearly four decades ago, we were a region still discovering our potential.

But even then, we knew that our coming together would mean little if it were not anchored on justice and progress.

That conviction remains true to us today.

This year, we stand on the threshold of a significant achievement: the ASEAN Extradition Treaty, also known as the AET.

The AET reflects our collective resolve – that individuals with criminal charges will not escape justice by crossing borders in ASEAN.

This treaty harmonizes legal principles commonly found in international agreements, including the extradition of nationals, procedures for provisional arrest and documentation, and mechanisms for the settlement of disputes and implementation, among others.

The signing of the AET will be a defining moment in our effort to bring to justice those who have acted against the law.

With this landmark treaty, we send a clear message to the world that we are united and that our legal foundation is stronger than ever.

While the AET will strengthen us in combating conventional cross-border crimes, we must also consider the emerging transnational challenges that will require all of us to work more effectively now and in the future.

I speak of the threat of cybercrimes and the ethical and legal implications of Artificial Intelligence. We must ensure that our laws can govern the digital space fairly and securely.

We must also intensify our efforts to be proactive, ensuring that ASEAN’s growth is sustainable, secure, and rooted in human dignity.

We make these efforts to promote the idea that the law continues to be the great equalizer of our time.

This is especially true now as we have seen how corruption, inefficiency, and impunity can erode the moral bases of our societies.

Therefore, we must ensure that the legal framework works for the benefit of our peoples.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Philippines reaffirms its commitment to working with all Member States towards a stronger and more resilient ASEAN.

We also look forward to extending this support to our newest partner, Timor-Leste, and stand ready to assist them as they prepare to join our legal bodies.

Truly, ASEAN is only as strong as the engagement of every member, every member state, and we value every voice at that table.

So, I thank all of you, our ministers, senior officials, our partners, who have dedicated your work to this historic undertaking.

Your work keeps ASEAN principled and united in today’s increasingly interconnected and complicated world.

Let us continue on this path as we make the Rule of Law the most enduring promise that we can make to our peoples.

Together, let us honor that promise and work towards it, united in the belief that justice and fairness know no borders in ASEAN.

Thank you very much.

Mabuhay ang ASEAN.

Mabuhay po tayong lahat.

Thank you and good morning. [applause]

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