Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asean Affairs Daniel Espiritu represented the Philippines at the 18th Asean-Russia Senior Officials' Meeting last May 23. (DFA-Office of ASEAN Affairs photo) MANILA-Enhancing trade and investment between Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is one way to "build back better" after the pandemic. This was the Philippines' position relayed by Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asean Daniel Espiritu during the 18th Asean-Russia Senior Officials' Meeting (ARSOM) on May 23, which centered on the two partners' economic cooperation. In the virtual meeting, Espiritu highlighted the importance of implementing the Asean-Russia Trade and Investment Cooperation Roadmap and Work Program 2021-2025 as well as the need for Asean societies to keep up with the rapid changes in digitalization. He then relayed Manila's view that "Russia as a Dialogue Partner should maintain its standing and representatio