Philippines' 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship: Can Maritime Security Unify or Divide the Bloc?

Can the Philippines steer ASEAN through treacherous geopolitical waters? As Manila prepares to chair the bloc in 2026, its intended focus on maritime security is poised to become a defining, and potentially divisive, test for regional unity.

Manila's Ambitious Agenda

According to Don McLain Gill, a geopolitical analyst at De La Salle University, the Philippines aims to place maritime security at the heart of its 2026ASEAN chairmanship. This strategic push is seen as a direct response to escalating tensions in the South China Sea. The administration of President Marcos Jr. appears determined to leverage its role to foster a more unified ASEAN stance on the issue.

The Delicate Balancing Act

However, Manila's plan must navigate the complex and often conflicting interests within the bloc. Gill points out that the Philippines faces the immense challenge of balancing its security agenda with other pressing concerns like food and energy security, and disaster relief, which are top priorities for other members. It's widely believed that member states with close economic ties to China may resist any agenda that could be perceived as confrontational, potentially straining the bloc's consensus-based decision-making process.