Palace defends ASEAN Summit preparations

Malacañang on Tuesday urged critics to refrain from politicizing preparations for the 49th ASEAN Summit, maintaining that security arrangements and venue setups are designed to protect visiting world leaders and project national readiness.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro defended the measures after Alliance of Concerned Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio accused the government of concealing poverty by placing temporary billboards —featuring works by Filipino national artists — along Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City to hide unhoused residents and street vendors near event venues.

“The President and the administration are focused on completing these preparations properly, not only for Filipinos but to show the world how prepared the Philippines is to host the ASEAN Summit,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.

“There is no issue to debate or politicize here. What should be discussed is the positive impact of the Philippines hosting the summit,” she added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally inspected the primary summit venue Tuesday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City ahead of the arrival of regional heads of state.

Castro also appealed to progressive groups planning demonstrations during the summit to reschedule their rallies.

“You have plenty of time to voice your concerns to the government. It would be better not to timing these with the arrival of our guests,” Castro said. “Let us show the true hospitality of the Filipino people.”

On the summit’s diplomatic agenda, Castro cited that Marcos hopes progress will be made toward finalizing the long-negotiated Code of Conduct in the South China Sea between ASEAN member states and China, though she deferred specific technical details to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced traffic management measures to minimize disruption for Metro Manila commuters.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the Highway Patrol Group will assist the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in managing congestion and directing motorists along summit routes, following directives from Marcos and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

The MMDA confirmed there will be no full road closures, but a security exclusion zone will be enforced around the PICC perimeter alongside a stop-and-go scheme along designated delegate routes from 15 to 18 November.

“We ask for the patience and understanding of the public as we implement all necessary measures,” Nartatez said, advising motorists to plan trips ahead and monitor re-routing advisories.