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Philippines Confident in Securing UN Security Council Non-Permanent Seat
Philippines Confident in UN Security Council Bid
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez expressed confidence that the Philippines has a strong chance of securing a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council. He stated that a significant number of countries have already committed to supporting the Philippines' bid, following recent engagements by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the United Nations, including his speech at the UN General Assembly where he highlighted the country's respect for international law and the historic arbitral ruling. Ambassador Romualdez mentioned that approximately 160 to 170 votes are needed to secure the seat.
China's Influence and Philippines' Global Role
While China is reportedly campaigning for Tajikistan, another candidate for the non-permanent seat, Ambassador Romualdez believes the Philippines holds a strong position. He highlighted the Philippines' role as a voice for developing countries and emphasized the importance of its presence in the UN Security Council given the challenges faced in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea. The Philippines has previously held non-permanent seats from 1957-1963, 1980-1981, and 2004-2005.
Enhanced US-Philippine Economic and Security Ties
During President Marcos Jr.'s visit to the US, he engaged with American business leaders, promoting the Philippines as a ready-for-business nation. Ambassador Romualdez noted a high level of interest from US businesses, particularly in the defense industry. He cited a specific example of a global company, a multi-billion dollar business that manufactures gloves, looking to expand its operations in the Philippines. This move is driven by the desire to diversify supply chains, especially after the vulnerabilities exposed during the pandemic when production was heavily concentrated in China. This is seen as a significant investment that will not only boost the Philippine economy but also strengthen the defense aspect of the US-Philippine alliance.
*Source: YouTube: ABS-CBN News (2026-03-17)*
