He went to the United States this week for an official visit.
Last Tuesday, March 10 (New York time) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rallied support for the Philippines’ candidature to a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Underscoring the country’s history as a reliable partner and a committed peacemaker, Marcos stated in his speech to the UN General Assembly in New York, “Our contributions across the whole spectrum of UN work, since its inception, are borne out by history. Always ready to be part of the solution, the Philippines has regularly proven itself to be an independent, trusted partner, an innovative pathfinder, and a committed peacemaker.”
“In the midst of mounting challenges and uncertainties, our United Nations need steady, committed, experienced hands; and we humbly offer ours – to serve in the UN Security Council for 2027 to 2028,” he added.
He also said that the country lodged its candidature while being mindful that a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council is not a right of any State, but “a privilege earned through consistent, dedicated, meaningful and concrete partnership, in the service of the United Nations, and so of humanity.”
He also expressed the Philippines’ readiness to contribute and help calm divisions, provide a voice of balance for service, and ventilate views for principled peace.
“And thus, I stand before you to humbly petition, for your support for the Philippines in the elections on the 3rd of June 2026,” said the Chief Executive.
To further his arguments, Marcos noted the Philippines’ steadfast commitment to international peace and security.
Looking back at history, he mentioned that the Philippines was among the first nations to respond to the UN’s call for assistance in the Korean War, in which more than 7,400 Filipinos served under the United Nations Command.
In 1963, responding to the call of the UN and the Congolese government, the Philippine Air Force mounted its first international operation, deploying to Congo on a peacekeeping mission.
President Marcos added that since the Philippine mission in Congo, the country has deployed 15,000 troops to 22 peacekeeping missions in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific.
And amid the UN’s current liquidity crisis, the Philippines paid its regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period in January and was included in the UN’s Honor Roll this year.
COMMITMENT TO MULTILATERALISM, UN CHARTER
Marcos also reiterated the country’s adherence to multilateralism and commitment to the United Nations Charter, underscoring the importance of the rule of law and respect for human rights.
“All our efforts will mean little nor will they endure without the rule of law and respect for human rights,” said the President. “The Philippines has consistently affirmed its resolute commitment to the rule of law and the promotion, protection and respect, of human rights.”
The President also said that The decision of the Philippines to join the United Nations 80 years ago, in 1946, was anchored on the belief that the rule of law is the beacon that guides the journey towards peace, security and shared prosperity.
With its commitment to multilateralism and the UN Charter, President Marcos said the Philippines, as a responsible State Party, abides by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“We are steadfast in our dedication to diplomacy, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the constructive management of differences to prevent escalation of disputes,” he pointed out. “We remain faithful to the principles of territorial integrity and the sovereign equality of all states.”
“The nation’s faith and commitment to the United Nations has never wavered in the eight decades of its membership,” President Marcos added, as he noted the country has always risen to the occasion whenever it is called.
LUNCHEON RECEPTION FOR PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES
In line with the campaign, the President also lrd the luncheon reception for Permanent Representatives of the United Nations member states.
“I hosted this to galvanize support for our Security Council candidature and to showcase once again that the Philippines has always been, since the very beginning of the United Nations in 1945, part of the solution to addressing global challenges and conflicts as a trusted and independent partner, pathfinder, and peacemaker,” explained Marcos to the media after the dinner.
Should the Philippines successfully become a non-permanent member of the UNSC, it will sit on the Security Council, which addresses global security issues and sets the agenda for matters discussed by the UN General Assembly.
Securing a seat will also enable the Philippines to strengthen its partnership with the UN, which has been working with the country since 1945 on many of the most important issues.
“Ito’y magbibigay ng boses para sa Pilipinas na kasing-halaga ng boses ng mga malalaking bansa, the rich and powerful nations that already sit as permanent members of the Security Council,” he added.
STRENGTHENING DEFENSE TIES WITH US
Meanwhile, at the sidelines of his official visit, on Monday (March 9), President Marcos also met with officials of the United States’ defense force, specifically Undersecretary of War for Policy Eldridge Colby and his delegation, discuss efforts aimed at accelerating the Philippines–United States defense partnership.
The said meeting, according to the Malacañan Palace, focused on strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and improving interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States military through joint operations such as Exercise Balikatan, which will begin next month.
The Balikatan is the largest annual, bilateral military drill between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military.
Both sides have also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty and to continue working together for a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region.