01 October 2024

Visit of the Secretary-General of the PCA to the Philippines

On 27-30 August 2024, the Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) paid a visit to the Republic of the Philippines where he met with different stakeholders: representatives of the legislative, executive and judiciary as well as with members of academic community and lawyers practicing in the field of international dispute resolution. The PCA Secretary-General was accompanied by PCA Senior Legal Counsel and Representative in Argentina Mr. Julian Bordaçahar and PCA Legal Counsel and Representative in Viet Nam Mr. Neil Nucup. This visit undertaken in the year marking the 125th anniversary of the PCA was also an occasion for the signing of a cooperation agreement between the PCA and the Philippine Dispute Resolution Centre (PDRC).

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On 27 August 2024, the PCA delegation paid a courtesy call on the Secretary of Foreign Affairs H.E. Enrique A. Manalo, accompanied by other officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). On the same day, the PCA Secretary-General participated in a roundtable discussion co-hosted by the DFA Office of United Nations and International Organizations and the Institute of International Legal Studies of the University of the Philippines.

On 28 August 2024, the PCA Secretary-General met with the Philippine Senate President, H.E. Francis G. Escudero. Further, to solidify its commitment to effectively engaging with the international dispute resolution community, the PCA entered into a cooperation agreement with the PDRC, allowing both institutions to extend support to each other in the organization of hearings or meetings through the provision of necessary facilities, services, and related personnel. Later that day, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Philippine Bar Association hosted a reception for PCA officials and distinguished members of the Philippines legal community.

On 29 August 2024, the PCA Secretary-General was received by the Philippine President, H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., at the Malacañan Palace. On the same day, PCA Legal Counsel Messrs. Bordaçahar and Nucup conducted a workshop at the premises of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law (Ateneo Law). The workshop was followed by a forum on international arbitration where the PCA Secretary-General delivered a keynote address before an audience comprising members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, private law practitioners and members of the academic community. The workshop and the forum were co-organized by the DFA, Philippine Judicial Academy, and Ateneo Law.

On the last day of the visit, the PCA delegation made courtesy calls on the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court H.E. Mr. Alexander G. Gesmundo, as well as on the Secretary of Justice H.E. Mr. Jesus Crispin Catibayan Remulla.