President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. renewed the Philippines’ call for international support for its bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term, saying the country could represent developing and climate-vulnerable nations.
President Marcos said he reiterated the Philippines’ candidacy during a diplomatic reception aimed at rallying support from member states.
“I reiterated our request for support for the Philippines’ candidature for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for the term 2027 to 2028, highlighting that the Philippines offers a voice from the Indo-Pacific, from developing countries, climate-vulnerable nations, and from middle-income countries, as well as our commitment to South-South cooperation,” Mr. Marcos said during a press conference with Filipino reporters.
The president said the Philippines has been a partner of the UN since 1945 and continues to contribute to global efforts such as peacekeeping and advancing issues including women’s rights and climate action.
If elected, Mr. Marcos said the Philippines would have a stronger voice in shaping discussions on global conflicts and international priorities.
“This will give a voice to the Philippines that is as important as the voices of the rich and powerful nations that already sit as permanent members of the Security Council,” he said.
The Philippines is competing with Kyrgyzstan for the Asia-Pacific seat. Marcos said the outcome remains uncertain because the election will be decided through a secret ballot among UN member states.
“It’s very hard to assess what the chances are. We have some solid expressions of support, but it is a secret ballot. So we just have to keep talking to our friends and hope that they provide us their support,” he said, adding that the country remains optimistic about its chances.
Malacañang said Tuesday that the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council is intended to contribute to global peace and security and not solely to advance national interests.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Philippines’ potential membership in the powerful UN body would allow the country to amplify its voice on international peace and security issues affecting many nations.
Membership in the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member does not mean that the Philippines will be fighting only for its own interests or that only voices from the Philippines will be heard, Castro said during a press briefing.
She added that while the Philippines has its own security concerns, its role in the council would be to help address global issues affecting peace and stability.
She said the Philippines may also discuss its own peace and security concerns but stressed that the country’s role is not solely for itself but for the greater good. “This is not just a privilege; it is a responsibility,” Castro added.
Castro also said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres praised the leadership of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during their meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York and expressed support for the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Guterres also welcomed the Philippines’ bid for a council seat, describing the country as a “bridge builder” in the UN. “He wants to see and hear the voice of the Philippines in the UN as loud as possible,” Castro said.
Election to the Security Council requires a two-thirds vote of the UN General Assembly.
Meanwhile, a United States-based medical glove manufacturer plans to invest at least $200 million in a facility in the Philippines that could create more than 2,000 jobs for Filipino workers, the President said.
Mr. Marcos added that he met with representatives of US Medical Glove Company (USMGC) on Monday (New York time) to discuss the firm’s plan to establish a medical glove manufacturing plant in the country.
He said the investment would help the Philippines produce essential medical supplies locally while opening opportunities in the global medical manufacturing sector.
“It will also allow us to produce essential medical supplies locally and open new opportunities in the growing global medical manufacturing industry,” the president added.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Marcos said the company has already begun preparatory work for the project and has sent representatives to the Philippines to start building the first plant.
“They have already started it. They have sent representatives to the Philippines and are already starting to build their first plant. They also want to expand further,” he said.
The president said the firm has also secured a local partner for the venture, with the first phase expected to involve a smaller investment before expanding further.
President Marcos said the project would strengthen the country’s supply of medical gloves not only for healthcare workers but also for other sectors. “We will have supply not only for healthcare workers, but also for the military and for everyone who needs it,” he said.
He added that the facility could eventually support exports if production grows.
“And if this manufacturing operation runs well, we can also export,” President Marcos said.
The president noted that the company intends to implement the project quickly, saying that once the facility is completed and equipment arrives, production could begin almost immediately.
“They said that once the machinery arrives and the building is finished, within 48 hours they will start the process,” he said.
Mr. Marcos met USMGC officials on the sidelines of his visit to the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
