Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta joins a plenary session, August 6, 2025. Joseph B. Vidal, OSP/File

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MANILA — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Friday asked why the Philippines is bothering with seeking a seat on the United Nations Security Council, saying the country might not have anything to gain from it.Marcoleta raised the question during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on government response to the conflict in the Middle East — also called West Asia — that was sparked by US and Israeli attacks on Iran.Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, had earlier explained that Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro could not attend the inquiry because she was in New York City as part of the advance party for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s visit to the United Nations headquarters there.DFA representatives said Lazaro is also part of the Philippines&#x27; campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council, which, according to the UN charter, has &quot;primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.&quot;They said the government believes getting a seat would &quot;promote our interest in the UN arena and also to espouse principles of unity and what is espoused by the Philippine government.&quot;Usudan said the government believes a seat on the council &quot;will give us more leverage&quot; at the UN.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/29/ph-campaigns-for-seat-in-un-security-council-seeks-reforms-revitalization-1608">PH campaigns for seat in UN Security Council, seeks &#x27;reforms, revitalization&#x27; of international panel</a></div>The DFA, in 2024, said that the Philippines is seeking a non-permanent seat to &quot;be able to engage in the most important dialogues and debates and vote on important issues.&quot;Marcoleta however questioned why the country is even bothering with a UNSC seat.&quot;Ano po ba ang mapapala natin doon kung mag apply tayong temporary... pakikinggan kaya tay... ang lalaking mga bansa &#x27;yon (What do we gain if we apply... will the big countries listen to us)? They are permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations,&quot; Marcoleta said.China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States are the permanent members of the UN Security Council and have veto powers on resolutions.The 10 other members of the council are elected to two-year terms.&quot;Your Honor, being a non-permanent member of the UNSC, we will have better position to espouse our interests, especially our position in the West Philippine Sea and in other areas,&quot; Usudan said. — from a report by RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/26/marcoleta-seeks-deletion-of-give-up-kig-remark-proposes-correction-1419">Marcoleta seeks deletion of &#x27;give up KIG&#x27; remark, proposes correction</a></div>

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Friday asked why the Philippines is bothering with seeking a seat on the United Nations Security Council, saying the country might not have anything to gain from it.

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Friday asked why the Philippines is bothering with seeking a seat on the United Nations Security Council, saying the country might not have anything to gain from it.

Marcoleta: What will PH gain from seeking seat on UN Security Council?

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Marcoleta: What will PH gain from seeking seat on UN Security Council?

ABS-CBN News

Published March 06, 2026 02:28 PM PHT

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Updated March 07, 2026 12:43 PM PHT

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Rodante Marcoleta

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