UN's Guterres sends well wishes for PH's UN Security Council bid

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres wished the Philippines good luck in campaigning for the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Guterres conveyed the message during his meeting with President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr., according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro on Tuesday.

''He also wished the President the best in campaigning for our candidature. The Philippines has been known in the UN as the bridge builder and he wants to see and hear the voice of the Philippines in the UN as loud as possible,'' Castro said. 

The elections for this non-permanent seat will be held on June 3, 2026.

Castro said the Philippines’ role in the UN would be not only for itself but also for other nations. She said the country’s voice and purpose would be to promote global safety, peace, and security among other UN member states, and that the Philippines may also discuss its own national security issues with the Security Council.

Meanwhile, Castro said Guterres also commended the Philippine government for promoting peace and democracy in the country.

Guterres also expressed support over the Philippines' chairmanship of the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits for this year, according to Castro. 

''Binanggit din po niya (He mentioned) ang (the) crucial role ng (of) ASEAN in strengthening global cooperation. He commended ASEAN for upholding the primacy of international law and its full respect for the UNCLOS,'' she said. 

For his part, Marcos informed Guterres about the key developments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The Philippine leader also thanked the UN for playing an important role in the development of BARMM. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News