Philippines: A champion of international law

July 16, 2024

MANILA – The Hague—The last time I was here, upon the invitation of the Dutch foreign ministry and en route to a lecture at Leiden University, it was too cold and too dark to enjoy the quaint city. But I was aware that it was in this seemingly unassuming corner of Europe where the foundations of a rules-based international order were established. The humble-sized city hosts the troika of international law, namely the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Not to mention, some of the finest legal minds on earth, including our Ambassador Eduardo Malaya, grace its streets.

Gladly, I managed to visit the good ambassador, whom I have known for the past decade, thanks to the intersection of our interest in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the broader international legal landscape. A day earlier, my talk at The Hague on the Arbitral Tribunal Award anniversary and China’s bullying activities was unexpectedly canceled due to death threats against some of the folks attending a prior event in the same building. Somehow, words had gone around that I had attracted unnecessary attention, too, mainly thanks to my vocal stance on the South China Sea disputes. In another major surprise, the weather also went off-kilter: I ended up experiencing just as much rain, cold, and an overcast day in summertime Netherlands as I did in wintertime New Zealand last month.

Malaya and his lovely team warmly welcomed me to our gorgeously refurbished embassy at The Hague. Beautiful paintings. Tastefully gorgeous chandelier. A grand piano. Two busts of Rizal, one in the garden and another in the arrival hall. All thanks to private donations by patriots as