Metro Manila, Philippines – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed support for the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and praised President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for promoting peace and democracy, Malacañang said Tuesday.
The remarks came during a bilateral meeting between Marcos and Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York, where they discussed various issues, including the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC).
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Guterres commended the Philippines’ leadership under Marcos and reaffirmed the UN’s support for the country’s ASEAN chairship.
Castro said the UN chief also underscored ASEAN’s crucial role in strengthening global cooperation and praised the regional bloc for upholding international law and respecting the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
He also wished Marcos success in the Philippines’ campaign for a non-permanent seat at the UNSC, with elections set for June 3, 2026.
According to Castro, Guterres described the Philippines as a “bridge builder” in the UN and said he wanted the country’s voice to be heard strongly within the global body.
Castro emphasized that the Philippines’ bid for a seat on the Security Council is not solely about advancing national interests.
“Ang pagiging miyembro po at mabigyan po ng non-permanent seat sa UN Security Council, hindi po ito ibig sabihin na sariling interes lang ng Pilipinas ang ipaglalaban o madidinig na boses mula sa Pilipinas,” Castro said.
[Translation: Being given a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council does not mean that only the Philippines’ interests will be promoted or heard.]
“Ang sabi nga ito ay it’s not all about us, it’s all about everybody,” she added.
[Translation: As they say, it’s not all about us, it’s all about everybody.]
Castro said Marcos also highlighted the Philippines’ long-standing partnership with the United Nations, noting that the country is one of the organization’s founding members.
The president also updated Guterres on developments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, including the region’s first parliamentary elections scheduled for September.
Marcos also joked that he thought his last campaign was during the presidential election, but he is now campaigning again—this time for the Philippines’ bid for a seat on the UN Security Council.
“We know what needs to be done and how we can contribute to the balance of power in the world,” the president said, according to Castro.
Marcos last met Guterres in October 2025 on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
