Since coming to power in June, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has made global headlines, a rarity for national leaders in Southeast Asia. The Philippines is the incoming chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, succeeding Laos, which has done a good job despite limited resources and modest expectations. Firstly, the Philippines will give top priority to making Asean a people-centred, peopled-oriented community. Asean has to be more inclusive than it is now, fostering participation by all stakeholders regardless of background and connections. Second, comprising more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines will understandably emphasise regional cooperation on maritime security.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 24, 2016 18:06 UTC