Manila: Malaca±ang on Thursday said domestic political tensions may have contributed to the Philippines' unsuccessful bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the remark when asked whether the country's recent political developments could have influenced the outcome of the vote despite President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s efforts to campaign for the Philippines' candidacy.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro explained that the negative perception created by political disputes and controversies may have affected how other countries viewed the Philippines. She noted that these political tensions and public disagreements are visible both to the nation and the global community, influencing their perception of the Philippines.

Castro further commented on the impact of these political noises, suggesting that they are often seen as obstructionist, echoing President Marcos' description. This negative perception may have been a contributing factor in the Philippines' failure to secure the non-permanent seat on the UNSC for the 2027-2028 term, where it lost to Kyrgyzstan during elections at the UN General Assembly.

In the fourth round of voting, Kyrgyzstan secured the lone Asia-Pacific seat with 142 votes, while the Philippines garnered only 49. The Marcos administration had actively campaigned for the seat as part of its efforts to enhance the country's role in multilateral diplomacy and international decision-making.

The UN Security Council is recognized as one of the most influential bodies within the international community, responsible for maintaining global peace and security. Securing a non-permanent seat is often seen as a valuable opportunity for countries to broaden their diplomatic influence and contribute to shaping international policy.