The Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands, in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs (OTLA), the Foreign Service Institute, the University of the Philippines Law Center, and the Asian Society of International Law, recently held the launch of the second edition of “Treaties: Guidance on Practices and Procedures,” co-authored by Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya and Professor Rommel J. Casis. The event took place on 20 February 2026 at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pasay City and was attended by diplomatic officials, legal practitioners, academics, and representatives from government agencies.

The program opened with remarks from Assistant Secretary Edgar B. Badajos of OTLA, who described the book as “a vital bridge between diplomatic practice and legal scholarship” and a practical roadmap for treaty negotiations. He emphasized the central role of the DFA and OTLA in the negotiation, drafting, and implementation of treaties, underscoring that treaty-making requires both legal precision and institutional coordination. A video message from UP President Angelo A. Jimenez followed, in which he highlighted the foundational role of treaties in shaping international cooperation, managing conflict, and structuring relations between states. Dean Gwen Grecia-De Vera of the UP College of Law then reflected on the longstanding partnership between the DFA and UP Law in advancing international legal scholarship and policymaking. She traced the evolution of the book from an internal DFA manual to its present form as a comprehensive reference for practitioners, students, and diplomatic officials navigating treaty-making processes.

In their co-authors’ remarks, Professor Casis and Ambassador Malaya provided both historical and practical context for the publication. Professor Casis recounted the origins of the work as an internal DFA manual that was first published as a book in 2018 and subsequently updated in the 2025 revised edition. He described the book as a compact yet comprehensive guide designed to assist diplomatic and government officials in treaty negotiation and implementation, while also serving as a resource for students and legal practitioners seeking to understand the procedural and legal framework governing treaties. Notably, he emphasized that the text was written in accessible language to ensure that even non-lawyers could grasp the fundamentals of treaty practice. He also stressed the importance of systematic documentation of Philippine treaties to preserve institutional knowledge and strengthen future negotiations.

Ambassador Malaya, in his presentation titled “Reflections on Philippine Treaty Law, Practice, and Patterns,” examined the development of Philippine treaty practice and the procedural frameworks that guide it. He addressed the conceptual challenges in defining and categorizing treaties, and offered a preview of the book’s analysis of Philippine treaty data across various thematic areas, including migrant workers, security cooperation, and bilateral trade. He observed a positive correlation between evolving foreign policy priorities and the growth in treaty engagements. Drawing from his experience in foreign service, he underscored the need for shared procedures, clarity in documentation, and streamlined processes to promote stability, transparency, and coherence in the Philippines’ treaty practice.

The event concluded with remarks from DFA Undersecretary for Policy Leo Herrera-Lim, who expressed appreciation to the authors and attendees. He noted the increasing prominence of treaties not only in academic discourse but also in diplomatic and policy practice, citing the institutional shift from the Office of Legal Affairs to the Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs as reflective of this growing importance. Undersecretary Herrera-Lim described the book as a timely and practical guide that supports the continuing evolution of Philippine treaty law and practice.

For those who were unable to attend, a recording of the book launch may be accessed here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1J6zKMUzHB/.