In his report to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Ambassador Hilario G. Davide, Jr., Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that Manila’s third place finish demonstrates the international community’s continued confidence in the Philippines’ commitment to uphold, protect and promote human rights.

            With its re-election, the Philippines will serve another term of three years until 2010.

            Ambassador Davide stated that the Philippines received 179 votes or 43 more votes than it had during last year’s elections. India topped the elections with 185 votes followed by Indonesia and Madagascar which tied for the second spot with 182 votes each.

            “The re-election of the Philippines to the United Nations Human Rights Council is a vindication for the Philippines and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,” Ambassador Davide said, referring to the campaign launched by non-government organizations to frustrate the Philippines’ re-election bid because of alleged human rights abuses.

            This was the Philippines’ first election victory under the watch of Ambassador Davide who assumed as Permanent Representative only three months ago. This re-election follows Manila’s successful one-year term as member of the 47-member Council.

            In Manila, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo welcomed confirmation of the Philippines’ election to the HRC and thanked the Philippines’ partners in the community of nations for the “overwhelming support.”

            “The Philippines re-election to the Council is a clear vote of confidence for the Philippines and President Arroyo’s efforts to move further forward the global agenda of upholding and protecting human rights,” Romulo said.

            “With this fresh mandate, the Philippines has been given another opportunity to strengthen further its advocacy in key human rights areas,” Romulo pointed out.

            “This fresh mandate likewise underscores our Foreign Service Posts’ success in harnessing and sustaining global support for the Philippines’ initiatives in the United Nations,” Romulo added.

            Secretary Romulo cited in particular the efforts of Ambassador Davide and Ambassador Enrique Manalo, the Philippines’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.

            In its re-election candidature, the Philippines indicated voluntary commitments that include strengthened resolve to address politically-motivated killings of media members and activists, sustained leadership in promoting interfaith dialogue, continued advocacy of the rights of migrant workers and commitment to making the Council a more efficient and effective organization.

            Aside from the Philippines, India, Indonesia and Madagascar, the other member-states that were elected to the Council are Qatar, Italy, Netherlands, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Nicaragua, Bolivia, South Africa, Angola and Egypt.

            The UN HRC was created by the 192-nation UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006 with the passing of Resolution No. 60/251. END