MANILA — The House of Representatives will officially launch the Philippine Presidency of the 47th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) on Monday, January 19, 2026.

“As we host the AIPA 2026, we proudly carry forward a vision rooted in both our national values and the enduring unity of ASEAN,” said Special Committee on ASEAN Affairs Senior Vice Chairperson and Pangasinan Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas. “At a time when ASEAN welcomes Timor-Leste as its 11th Member State and marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, the House is committed to advancing parliamentary cooperation that strengthens peace, mutual respect, and regional solidarity,” she added.

The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation is a legally binding instrument that upholds the principles of peaceful coexistence and friendly cooperation among ASEAN member states and acceding partners.

As host parliament, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III will serve as president of AIPA 2026 and is set to deliver the keynote address during the launch. The Philippine presidency will culminate in the 47th AIPA General Assembly, scheduled to be held in Metro Manila in October 2026.

Separate meetings will also be convened by the Women Parliamentarians of AIPA, the Young Parliamentarians of AIPA, and the AIPA Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs to discuss shared regional concerns and draft resolutions for consideration and adoption by the General Assembly. These discussions will focus on advancing a peaceful, prosperous, and people-centered ASEAN.

The Philippines formally assumed the AIPA presidency on September 20, 2025, when Malaysia’s House of Representatives Speaker Tan Sri Johari Bin Abdul turned over the post to the Philippine delegation. Deputy Speaker and TUCP Party-list Representative Raymond Democrito Mendoza accepted the presidency on behalf of the House of Representatives.

In line with tradition, the AIPA presidency rotates annually among member parliaments in alphabetical order.

This marks the seventh time the Philippines has hosted AIPA since its establishment in 1977 as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization, which was renamed the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly in 2006 to reflect its expanded role in parliamentary diplomacy and regional integration.

AIPA serves as a platform for cooperation among ASEAN member parliaments, facilitating the exchange of legislative best practices and contributing to the achievement of ASEAN’s shared goals.