Palace blames political noise for PH’s failed UN Security Council bid

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday blamed the current political noise for the Philippines’ failed bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. 

The Philippines lost its bid for a non-permanent seat for the 2027–2028 term to Kyrgyzstan.

READ: PH accepts UN Security Council loss to Kyrgyzstan after multi-round vote

“All the political noise, all the political tensions affect this, and this is what the entire nation and the whole world see as the impression of the Philippines,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said.

“So it becomes negative because of these noises, most of which are obstructionists, as described by the president during the recent Kapihan with the Media,” she continued.

Kyrgyzstan secured the seat in the fourth round of voting in the General Assembly, obtaining 142 votes out of 191 ballots cast, surpassing the required two-thirds majority. The Philippines received 49 votes.

In a statement, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines respected the decision of UN member states and extended its congratulations to the Kyrgyz Republic, which secured the Asia-Pacific seat after multiple rounds of voting at UN Headquarters in New York.

“We thank the international community for the support and goodwill extended to the Philippines throughout our candidacy,” Lazaro said in a statement.

“Our campaign was anchored on our longstanding commitment to peace, dialogue, international law, and cooperation among nations,” she said. “These remain principles that the Philippines will continue to uphold and advance in the global community.”

The Philippines has sought a nonpermanent seat on the Security Council as part of its long-standing engagement with the United Nations. 

It previously served on the council in 1957, 1963, 1980–1981, and 2004–2005. /das