Manila, March 25 -- Hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings, especially with a landmark South China Sea code of conduct (COC) in the works, is significant both for the Philippines and the entire region, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said.

"ASEAN is very important. In fact, ang ASEAN is parang (the ASEAN is like) the main anchor of our foreign policy," she said during the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel on Wednesday.

"To be the chair, which happens only once in 10, now 11 years, importante na masulong natin ang maraming mga aspect concerning the region (it is important that we advance the many aspects concerning the region),"

The international community, she added, is closely watching the Philippines a...