Existing ASEAN mechanisms involved in regional security matters deserve further examination about their relevance and appropriateness to twenty-first-century strategic issues confronting Southeast Asia. Notwithstanding the limitations and shortcomings, ASEAN is now faced with dynamic challenges. Foremost of these is China’s flexing of its muscle in the region, and the United States’ upholding the freedom of navigation and adherence to international law. At the back of this great power competition is the territorial dispute among claimant states. Alternative approaches have been proposed over time, one of which is the idea of minilateralism, which has gained traction in recent years. In ASEAN, proposals to form minilaterals on the South China Sea have been discussed, but no formal endorsement nor concrete steps have been taken towards this objective. Questions as to how these minilaterals would operate within the institution, given its unique organizational culture, have also been raised. As for the Philippines, evaluative studies are still being conducted to assess the implication of participating in a minilateral as far as its national interests are concerned. Having clear and delimited objectives, a clarification of funding mechanisms, the creation of a termination clause, as well as the addressing of bilateral issues between members are identified as essential considerations for the Philippines.