The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Office of United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO) and the UP Institute of International Legal Studies (UP IILS), hosted a roundtable discussion (RTD) entitled “The Rules-Based International Order from Perspectives in International Law” on August 27, 2024, at the Bocobo Hall, University of the Philippines Law Complex. The RTD brought together in one event officials from key government agencies, representatives from diplomatic missions, international relations and strategic study experts, and legal practitioners. With the aim of refining the understanding of RBIO especially for Philippine interests, the RTD served as a significant platform for the exchange of views and perspectives.

UP President Angelo A. Jimenez formally opened the event, highlighting the importance of a robust academic exchange as it takes place in the UP Law Complex. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs H.E. Enrique Manalo, whose own statements before international circles have shaped the Philippines’ policy stance, reinforced the necessity of discussing RBIO as he delivered his own remarks. The RTD kicked off with a Panel Discussion from four lead high-level discussants. Dr. Hab. Marcin Czepelak, Secretary General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and private international law expert, spoke on international dispute resolution and its importance on the RBIO while Dr. Nilufer Oral, Member of the International Law Commission (ILC), interrogated the place of RBIO in the work of the ILC. Reflecting on RBIO from blended international and domestic perspectives, the Panel Discussion continued with Dean Antonio La Vina, Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, who mainly shared his experience as a climate negotiator and Commissioner Johannes Bernabe from the Philippine Competition Commission, who spoke on the more contentious aspects of RBIO in multilateral trade.

In the subsequent moderated discussion facilitated by Atty. Ross Tugade (Senior Lecturer at the UP College of Law), RTD participants shared their respective views from their own fields of practice. Two former Deans of the UP College of Law–Acting Chief Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen and Former ICC Judge and Philippine Representative to the PCA Raul Pangalangan—jumpstarted the moderated discussion with their own contributions. Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya (President of the PCA Admin Council) was likewise in attendance, along with other officials from the DFA leadership.

The collective expertise and depth of experience of the RTD participants generated a productive and nuanced conversation on various issues crucial to the Philippines’ interests. In synthesizing the RTD during her closing remarks, DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa T. Almojuela underscored the significance of clarifying the conceptual and practical understanding of RBIO, especially in ways that are meaningful and beneficial to Philippine interests.

A monograph of the RTD proceedings is projected as one of the concrete outcomes of the event. The monograph will be published with the aim of preserving the valuable insights of the participants and sparking deeper discussions on the RBIO as it interacts with various facets of international law and critical areas of national policy.