Karapatan and the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) welcomed the failure of the US-Marcos regime to win a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. They said this is a victory for the campaign that exposed the regime’s crimes and violations of international humanitarian law. The Philippines won only 49 votes against Kyrgyzstan’s 142 votes in the fourth round of voting.

The Philippines previously served on the UN Security Council in 1980–1981 under Marcos Sr and in 2004–2005 under the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The UN General Assembly annually elects five non‑permanent members to the 15‑member Security Council for two‑year terms. Seats are allocated by region to ensure geographical balance, alongside the five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Under the rules, candidate countries are assessed on their contributions to international peace and security and their support for the purposes and principles of the UN.

ICHRP‑USA said Marcos Jr squandered ₱20 million of Filipino taxpayers’ money campaigning for the UN seat since 2022. The regime used the people’s funds for its own interests instead of providing adequate services to Filipinos at home and abroad.

“Marcos Jr’s defeat in securing the seat shows his failure to cleanse the bad reputation of his family and his own administration. This bad reputation is linked to the notoriety of his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, who is due to be tried at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity,” ICHRP chair Peter Murphy explained.

ICHRP also emphasized that a government like Marcos’, which covers up killings of civilians and represses dissenters, should not be rewarded with a seat on the UN Security Council. Such a position could embolden the regime to intensify repression against the poor and Filipinos fighting for their rights.

Since Marcos Jr assumed office until December 2025, Karapatan recorded 135 cases of extrajudicial killing, 16 cases of enforced disappearance, and 826 cases of arbitrary arrest. There are currently 699 political prisoners in the country, 125 of whom were arrested under his regime. The Philippines is among the most repressive regimes in Southeast Asia.

“Far from being a force for peace, Marcos Jr devastates his country and the region,” Murphy said.

Besides a terrible human rights record, the administration is expanding near‑continuous military exercises with the US, Australia, and Japan in preparation for a possible war with China.

“The Marcos government will not be an independent actor on the UN Security Council. Its growing reliance on US military, economic, and diplomatic support means the Philippines’ seat would, in fact, serve as a de facto extension of Washington’s influence, giving the US not only a vote but an ‘echo vote’ within the council to justify its war crimes,” Murphy added.

According to Karapatan, Marcos Jr’s obedience to US dictates has already earned praise from US Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth, especially for his ostensible focus on “external defense,” interoperability with US military forces, and a major increase in the defense budget.

Hegseth’s “praise” of the US’ sycophant ally was accompanied by criticism against other allies for allegedly not spending enough on security to meet US expectations. The Marcos Jr regime and the ruling class expect to be rewarded with favors in return for being “good boys” to their US master.