UN chief backs PHL’s Security Council bid

THE Philippines has secured the backing of United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for its bid for a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027-2028, the Presidential Palace said on Tuesday.

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. met with Mr. Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York on Monday, where the two discussed Manila’s campaign for the seat ahead of the June 3 election at the UN General Assembly.

Ms. Castro said the UN chief praised the Philippines’ role in promoting peace and democracy and highlighted its leadership as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

She said the UN chief had also cited Manila’s support for international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

She said Mr. Guterres described the Philippines as a “bridge builder” within the UN and expressed hope that the country’s voice would continue to be heard in the organization.

“He also wished the President the best in campaigning for our candidature,” she told a livestreamed briefing from New York. “He wants to see and hear the voice of the Philippines in the UN as loud as possible.”

Ms. Castro added that Mr. Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to the UN during the meeting, noting that the country is one of the organization’s founding members.

To secure a seat on the Security Council, the Philippines must obtain a two-thirds majority vote from the UN General Assembly.

The discussions also touched on developments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, with Mr. Marcos updating Mr. Guterres on preparations for the region’s first parliamentary elections scheduled for September.

Meanwhile, the President addressed the 70^th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, where he discussed women’s education, safe working environments and economic empowerment.

Following his engagements at the UN, the President held private business meetings with potential investors in sectors including healthcare as part of his working visit to New York, Ms. Castro said. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking