16 APPF member-states back PH's UN Security Council membership bid

The Philippines has secured the support of 16 Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) member-states for the country’s bid for a seat in the UN Security Council for the term 2027–2028.

The support of the 15 countries for the Philippines was mentioned by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri while another one was mentioned by House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“Without naming names of countries, so far, the [Department of Foreign Affairs] has pointed out that out of 27 countries of the APPF...we have the support of already 15 [countries],” Zubiri said in a press conference during the 31st APPF on Thursday.

Before the briefing, Romualdez also mentioned another country that signified its support for the Philippines’ UN Security Council bid.

“Nakadagdag pa tayo ng isa (we got the commitment of another state) [and] that's just on the first lunch. We are waiting [for] our other friends in the region… Kaya right away this forum is paying off dividends. So we're very confident that with God's prayers and all your support we shall be successful,” Romualdez said.

However, Zubiri said the Philippines would still need to “court” 11 more states to ensure its election to the UN body.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said that there were several countries who already committed to vote for the Philippines to get a seat in the UN Security Council.

[The] Security Council is a principal organ of the UN, and the council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. So lahat ng major problems of the world kino-consider ng security council. So, if we are on the council, we will have a voice in this issue, sa mga global issues,” Manalo said in September.

He said this campaign ‘'manifests our desire to offer the best of the Philippine diplomatic tradition.''

The Philippines will be competing against Kyrgyzstan for the seat. —VAL, GMA Integrated News