Philippine Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo says alleged rights abuses in Burma will be a key topic at a meeting of regional ministers to open Saturday.
Mr. Romulo says he expects someone at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting will raise the subject of barring Burma from taking leadership of the regional grouping next year.
Lawmakers from the Philippines and Singapore have been calling for the move over alleged rights abuses in Burma and its failure to release jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
But Cambodia has said it will support Burma's leadership of the 10-nation group.
U.S. and European leaders have warned they may boycott ASEAN meetings hosted by Burma.
Information for this report is provided by AP and AFP.
