EDITORIAL - Fix us first

The Philippines is currently batting for a temporary seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), but many critics, one of them Senator Rodante Marcoleta, said we have nothing to gain from such a position.

"Ano po ba ang mapapala natin doon kung mag-apply tayong temporary... pakikinggan kaya tayo... ang lalaking mga bansa 'yon? They are permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations," Marcoleta said.

We are more inclined to agree with Marcoleta on this one. Indeed, a seat on the UNSC may sound prestigious, but beyond that prestige what? What does it gain us?

Do we even deserve such a seat? The primary purpose of the UNSC is to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the UN. The council has the power to investigate disputes, impose sanctions, authorize military action to maintain or restore peace, and recommend the admission of new UN members.

Let’s be honest here, in terms of economics and geopolitics we aren’t exactly one of the global influencers, movers, and shakers. Even if we can somehow influence a decision as a member of the UNSC, when push comes to shove we have no way of compelling other nations to toe the line whether economically or militarily.

Here’s an even better reason why we don’t need this now; we have so many problems to work out at home. Everything from food insecurity, to worsening education, to widespread corruption, to uncontrolled population growth, to runaway fuel prices, to never-ending natural disasters, among others, needs the attention and resources of the government 100%.

There’s no need to pretend that we can help solve the problems of other countries, never mind entire regions, when we can’t even handle our own problems. We would be adding more problems to a plate already running over with them. Leave the issue of regional security to nations that aren’t saddled with problems or that actually have the economic and military clout to solve them.

Perhaps one day we can focus on helping solve regional problems but that should be the day when we have no more pressing matters at home that need more urgent attention.