The Philippines ratified on Tuesday the charter of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) which will give the 10-country grouping a legal framework, as well as set out the principles and rules for its members.

Sixteen senators voted for the ratification of the charter, while one objected.

Pro-administration Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago was the ardent proponent in the ratification of the charter in the opposition-led senate.

Santiago said that the ASEAN charter will hasten the economic integration of the organization as well as balance the growing influence of China and India in the region.

The charter also commits its member-countries to promote human rights and democracy.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Only Thailand and Indonesia have yet to ratify the charter.

The reclusive Myanmar, which initially opposed the charter, ratified the document during the ASEAN ministers' meeting in Singapore earlier in the year.

ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan has expressed hope that all 10 members of ASEAN would ratify the charter in time for the leaders' summit in Bangkok in December.