Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today said that the credibility of the Philippines as a member in good standing of the United Nations and as an active participant in the efforts of the international community to help maintain the peace and security of mankind remain intact.

Secretary Ople made this statement in reaction to some reports claiming that the Makati Incident had adversely affected the chances of the Philippines to win a seat in the United Nations Security Council.

“It is not the position of the Philippine Government nor of this Department that the Makati Incident can and will affect our bid to be a member of the Security Council,” the Secretary said.

“Nothing could be farther from the truth,” the Secretary added.

Elaborating on this issue, the Secretary said “The allegations made in these reports, putting into question the ability of the Philippines to govern and relating this to our ability to be an effective member of the Security Council, is not only unfortunate but also baseless and irresponsible.  I hope that this is merely the product of idle speculation and nothing else,” the Secretary said.

“In the aftermath of the Makati Incident, the international community remains confident in the stability and governance of the Philippines.  I am in direct communication with many world leaders and diplomats and this is their common refrain,” the Secretary said.

“The latest reiteration of this theme came from the European Union in a statement they issued last Friday,” he added (see separate DFA press release).

The Philippines is the sole candidate for the Security Council seat that will be available for Asian countries during the term 2004-2005 and has been endorsed by the Asian Group for this seat. END.