President Ferdinand Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to international law during a meeting with Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Secretary-General Marcin Czepelak on Thursday in Malacañang.
President Marcos emphasized the PCA’s key role in the country’s foreign policy, especially amid current challenges.
“The Permanent Court of Arbitration is an important part of our foreign policy considering all the challenges that we are facing right now. And our continuing adherence to international law,” President Marcos told Czepelak.
“The Court of Arbitration is [important]… that is an argument that we make and have made in several instances. It’s very [gratifying] [you have visited] Manila,” he added.
Czepelak is in the Philippines from August 26 to 30 for a customary visit by PCA officials to Contracting Parties.
“Indeed, it is my first time and it is a fantastic experience to be able to, well, first I meet a lot of people and then I’m allowed to even visit some places,” the Secretary-General said.
According to Czepelak, the purpose of the visit is to promote the Court’s dispute resolution mechanisms and explore the establishment of a Host Country Agreement (HCA) to facilitate PCA hearings in the Philippines.
The country currently holds the presidency of the PCA Administrative Council, with Philippine Ambassador Eduardo Malaya acting as president for the 2023-2024 term.
