MANILA – The Philippines is looking into the kind of commitment being asked by joining the Board of Peace, the country’s top envoy to the United States said on Thursday.
According to Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippines received an invitation to join the US-led international organization, but clarified that there are still details to be sorted out.
“Yes, the Philippines was invited. In fact, President Trump gave us a … the White House gave me a letter addressed, a personal letter coming from...President Trump inviting President Marcos to be a member of the Board of Peace,” Romualdez said, during the sidelines of the launching of the official logo commemorating the 80th anniversary of US-PH diplomatic relations in Pasay City.
He explains that the Philippines is looking into “what kind of commitment” is being asked, and find out how the country can be of help.
“We've always been for finding a way to contribute in any kind of peace effort. So, if this is something that the Philippines can be a part of, then very likely we'll accept the invitation,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador clarified that the “contribution” of USD1billion is for those who want to be permanent members of the organization.
Romualdez stated that as of this time, the country cannot afford the said contribution, but that “we can propose” or the Board of Peace can express what is expected from the Philippines.
U.S. President Donald Trump launched his Board of Peace on 22 January 2026 in Davos, initially designed to cement Gaza's rocky ceasefire but which he foresees taking a wider role worrying to other global powers, although he said it would work with the United Nations.
"Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do. And we'll do it in conjunction with the United Nations," Trump said, adding that the U.N. had great potential that had not been fully utilised.
Trump, who will chair the board, invited dozens of other world leaders to join, saying he wants it to address challenges beyond the stuttering Gaza ceasefire, stirring misgivings that it could undermine the U.N.'s role as the main platform for global diplomacy and conflict resolution.
While regional Middle East powers including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as major emerging nations such as Indonesia, have joined the board, global powers and traditional Western U.S. allies have been more cautious.
Trump says permanent members must help fund with a payment of USD1 billion each.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the board's focus would be on making sure the plan for peace in Gaza was fulfilled but that it could also "serve as an example of what's possible in other parts of the world".
(With reporting by Steve Holland in Davos; additional reporting by Rami Ayyub in Jerusalem and Emma Farge in Geneva; writing by Angus McDowall; editing by Mark Heinrich)
