Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
The Philippines on Sunday sought the support of the United Nations for its bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
In a speech delivered on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. before the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo asked UN member-states to back the country’s bid for a non-permanent seat for the term 2027 to 2028.
Manalo cited the Philippines’ adherence to UN Security Council resolutions, as well as its work on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as a manifestation of “the vision of the Philippines for people-focused peace-building.”
“The Philippine candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2027 to 2028 manifests our strong desire to offer the best of the Philippine diplomatic tradition,” he said.
“We count on the support of all UN member states in this regard,” the country’s top diplomat added.
In May, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the Philippines already presented its candidature and started its campaign for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC.
As a non-permanent member, the Philippines would be able to engage in debates, dialogues, and votes on various issues centering on the rule of law, international law, and maintaining peace and stability.
De Vega said the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) could also be up for a dialogue under the UNSC.
President Marcos first announced the country’s bid for a UNSC seat during his speech at the UN General Assembly in September last year.
The UN Security Council is composed of 15 member-states, with China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States as permanent members of the council.
The 10 non-permanent members sit on the council for a term of two years and can be reinstated if elected by the UN General Assembly.
All 15 permanent and non-permanent members, at the time of their term, are entitled to one vote each, and are mandated to follow the decision of the council.
The Philippines had been a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 1957, 1963, 1980-1981, and 2004-2005. — Rey E. Requejo
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