The Tamesis
January 7, 2026
Nay Pyi Taw ——On the afternoon of January 6, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Chairman of the National Security and Peace Council, met with a delegation led by Ms. Maria Teresa Parreno Lazaro, Special Representative of the ASEAN Chair to Myanmar and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, at the Office of the Defense and Security Council in Nay Pyi Taw.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed Myanmar’s efforts to optimize intra-ASEAN cooperation and the good diplomatic relations between Myanmar and the Philippines. Also discussed were the circumstances in which the state was forced to take responsibility for the massive voter fraud that occurred in the 2020 election and attempts to seize power through unfair means. The meeting also discussed Myanmar’s political dynamics, preparations for free and fair elections and the accuracy of the voter list, the successful holding of the first phase of the election on December 25, 2025 and the conditions for the continuation of the second and third phase elections in the remaining townships, the visit of the international election observation team during the first phase of the election, and the Philippines’ participation and positive feedback on the election.
In addition, Acting President Senior General Min Aung Hlaing discussed with the Foreign Minister of the Philippines, the Special Representative for Myanmar, the rotating chair of ASEAN, under what conditions the Myanmar election will ensure that all Myanmar citizens do not lose their democratic rights, under what conditions Myanmar and the Philippines will strengthen cooperation in politics, economy and trade, and that Myanmar will continue to strengthen cooperation within ASEAN within its capabilities.
The meeting was attended by the Interim President, Chairman of the National Security and Peace Council, Secretary of the Council, General Ye Win O, members of the Council, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs U Than Shwe, Federal Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Soe Win, Special Representative of the ASEAN Chairman on Myanmar, Philippine Foreign Minister and officials of the Philippine Embassy in Myanmar.
