Manila, May 13 -- Government executives and industry leaders are pushing for the accelerated execution of a regional digital economy pact as the country steers the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chairship toward a borderless and inclusive digital future through the kick-off of Manila Tech Summit 2026 on Wednesday.

During the event announcing the summit proper in July, FinTech Alliance.PH founding chair Lito Villanueva said the summit's four-word theme - secure, sustainable, inclusive, borderless - is "not a slogan, but a standard," as the Philippines positions itself as a convening hub for the region's digital agenda.

"As ASEAN Chair, the Philippines has a decisive opportunity to move the Digital Economy Framework Agreem...