Manila: The Philippines is prepared to support a political process in Myanmar that is both 'Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned,' the Department of Foreign Affairs announced Friday. This commitment comes ahead of Myanmar's junta-led elections, which are scheduled to take place between late December 2025 and January 2026. These will be the first elections since the military seized power in February 2021.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs emphasized the Philippines' readiness to assist Myanmar in achieving a political process that respects the sovereignty and leadership of the Myanmar people. DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs, Dominic Xavier Imperial, stated that the Special Envoy remains open to contributing to Myanmar's political landscape in a meaningful way.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has designated DFA Secretary Ma. Theres Lazaro as a special envoy to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Myanmar crisis. This initiative aligns with the Philippines' upcoming chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026. Lazaro aims to build on the progress made by the Malaysian Special Envoy, focusing on promoting constructive dialogue and providing humanitarian assistance in Myanmar.

Imperial further noted that the Special Envoy's efforts will be grounded in the Five-Point Consensus, emphasizing deliberate, pragmatic, and sustainable actions throughout the process. The political turmoil in Myanmar began when the military staged a coup, overthrowing the democratic government in February 2021.

During the 15th ASEAN-United Nations Summit on October 27, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his deep concern over the dire situation in Myanmar. He described the military takeover as exacerbating the country's hardships and called for an end to the cycle of impunity and violence in the ASEAN state.