Pimentel rallies PH diplomats to support reforms in UNSC

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

Pimentel also wants to propose removing the so-called veto power within the UNSC, which, he said, should decide by just a simple majority vote of all its members. (File photo: Senator Koko Pimentel/Facebook)

MANILA – Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III on Friday urged Philippine diplomats to support efforts to implement reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Pimentel made the call in his speech as guest speaker during the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) 3rd Iteration of the Foreign Policy Address, which was also attended by foreign diplomats.

“Let us support proposals to increase the Security Council’s membership and let us allocate the seats equally among the areas for blocs that are recognized by the UN – equal, not by population,” he said.

“This way we ensure that all points of view from all over the world shall be heard and considered before the UNSC.”

Pimentel also wants to propose removing the so-called veto power within the UNSC, which, he said, should decide by just a simple majority vote of all its members.

“For those who want democratic processes, this is the most democratic of all the systems,” he said.

If this proposal is not achievable at the moment, Pimentel said, the veto power should be required to be done “collegially” by the five permanent members to a majority vote, which would mean that there will be a veto only if three out of the five permanent members will agree to veto a measure.

The senator made the suggestions after noting that the number of members in the UNSC is “no longer inclusive and representative enough” compared to the actual number of members of the UN.

The Philippines is seeking to be elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC to enable it to actively promote peaceful resolutions to rising geopolitical tensions in the Western Pacific.