Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10) – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said that President Rodrigo Duterte is unlikely to attend the summit between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States in Washington initially scheduled on March 28-29.
Cambodian Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, however, said that the event has been postponed because some ASEAN leaders cannot attend on the proposed dates.
In a media briefing, Romualdez said that Duterte is not keen on attending the summit for a number of reasons.
“March 28 is his birthday so that’s one of the reasons. He never really leaves his residence during his birthday which is a tradition,” Romualdez said.
The envoy added that the President is also finishing all appointments before COMELEC rules take effect.
“The more compelling reason would be for example today March 10, it is the last day for any appointments that they want to fill up before the election ban and then another there’s another COMELEC ruling on March 25 so it’s very close to March 28,” he elaborated.
But Romualdez said that Duterte would reconsider his decision if the summit will be moved to a later date.
“If it’s March 28 its very unlikely for the President to go but if it’s a later date there’s a possibility he may consider to go,” the envoy noted.
In a statement last month, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki pointed out that the special summit will also mark the 45 years of U.S-ASEAN relations.
“It is a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration to serve as a strong, reliable partner and to strengthen an empowered and unified ASEAN to address the challenges of our time,” she said in an announcement.
U.S. President Joe Biden hopes that this summit will improve the relationship between the regional bloc and the United States.
