In a significant development, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that four Filipino law experts have been appointed as members of the Court of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). This appointment highlights the exceptional expertise of these individuals in the field of international law.
The newly appointed members are Dr. Raul Pangalangan, Professor Sedfrey Candelaria, Dr. Antonio Gabriel La Viña, and Philippine Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya. The DFA confirmed that their appointments were officially recognized by the PCA’s International Bureau upon the submission of their names by Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.
Dr. Raul Pangalangan is a former judge of the International Criminal Court (2015-2021), bringing a wealth of experience in international law to his new role. Professor Sedfrey Candelaria serves as the chief of the Office of the Research, Publications, and Linkages Office of the Philippine Judicial Academy, further adding to the expertise of the Filipino delegation.
Dr. Antonio Gabriel La Viña, a former member of the PCA Specialized Panel of Arbitrators and Experts (Environmental Disputes) (2016-2022), currently holds the position of associate director for Climate Policy and International Relations of the Manila Observatory. Lastly, Philippine Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya, who is also the acting president of the PCA Administrative Council for the term 2023-2024, brings a unique perspective as a diplomat to the court.
Under the 1899 and 1907 Hague Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, each member state has the authority to appoint up to four individuals with exceptional expertise in international law to serve as arbitrators under the auspices of the PCA for a term of six years. The appointment of these Filipino law experts aligns with this convention and showcases their remarkable legal acumen.
It is worth noting that the members of the Court appointed by each member state form its national group. This privilege grants them the authority to nominate candidates for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and propose candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize, in collaboration with the ICJ judges. This responsibility further emphasizes the significance of their role in the international legal community.
The previous Philippine members of the PCA included retired chief justices Artemio Panganiban and Reynato Puno, retired justice Jose Vitug, and Dr. Raul Pangalangan. The addition of these four new members strengthens the representation of the Philippines within the PCA and reinforces the country’s commitment to international law and dispute resolution.
In June 2024, a Congress of the members of the Court will convene as part of the activities commemorating the PCA’s 125th anniversary. This gathering will mark only the third time in history when PCA court members come together to shape the future of the organization. The first such congress took place during the first Hague Peace Conference in 1899, followed by the centennial celebration of the PCA in 1999.
During the recent Administrative Council meeting, which was presided over by Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya as Council president, he highlighted the significant milestones achieved by the PCA in 2023. Notably, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a historic resolution recognizing the “important contribution of the PCA to the peaceful settlement of disputes.” This resolution, initiated by the Philippine Embassy in The Hague and the Philippine Mission to the UN in New York, garnered sponsorship from 121 UN member states and was adopted by consensus.
The appointment of these four Filipino law experts to the Court of the Permanent Court of Arbitration is a testament to their exceptional expertise and the recognition of the Philippines’ commitment to international law. Their contributions will undoubtedly enhance the PCA’s ability to promote peaceful dispute resolution and uphold the principles of justice on a global scale.
Source: The Manila Times
