Pasay: Two pioneering books on treaties and foreign relations law authored and edited by seasoned diplomat, Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya, were launched in Pasay this week, charting new grounds in Philippine legal diplomacy. The book 'Philippine Foreign Relations Law: State Practices, Policy Advocacies and Perspectives' (PFRL) is authored by Malaya, while the 'Philippine Treaties in Force 2025' (PTIF) is edited by him with the assistance of Third Secretary and Vice Consul Crystal Gale Dampil-Mandigma, and Attach© Kieren Batiles of the Philippine Embassy in The Hague.
According to Philippines News Agency, both books are published by the University of the Philippines Law Complex. During a ceremony on Aug. 10, Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro, in her message of support delivered by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, hailed the works as 'remarkable contributions to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the legal and diplomatic community.' "[These books] remind us that while administrations and diplomatic approaches may change, the enduring principles that guide our foreign policy, particularly those rooted in the Constitution and the rule of law, remain constant," she said.
"Together, these volumes stand as written evidence of the ebbs and flows of Philippine foreign relations and a testament to the dynamism of our democracy. They capture how our nation has navigated changing global realities while remaining faithful to the national interest and international commitments," she added. The Philippine Treaties in Force provides a comprehensive index to some 1,850 international agreements entered into by the country from 1946 to 2025, with online links to the full texts of the agreements.
The Philippine Foreign Relations Law, meanwhile, brings together the journal articles and presentations of Malaya relating to various aspects of Philippine State practice in international law and his engagements and initiatives vis- -vis the international legal organizations in The Hague. These include the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), wherein the envoy worked on the country's accessions in recent years to the HCCH Service, Child Support and Evidence Conventions; as well as the Permanent Court of Arbitration, where he served as President of the latter's policy board, the Administrative Council, in 2023 and 2024.
'International law is deeply significant to Filipinos and the international community as it provides all of us the certainty of a common language to cooperate and the predictability of a common framework to resolve differences peacefully," said Malaya. "It is hoped that these books contribute to the documentation, understanding, and deeper appreciation of Philippine State practice and engagements with international law," he added.
By portraying international law in action from the Philippine perspective, Malaya conveyed hopes that the new books will serve as a valuable reference for diplomats, government officials, lawyers, academics, law students, and the general public. Supreme Court Associate Justice Raul Villanueva commended Malaya and the co-editors' scholarship beyond the regular demands of work, describing it as a "true service to country."
"Ito ang tunay na paglilingkod-ang mag-iwan ng higit sa kung ano ang iyong nadatnan at magbigay daan para makamtan ng iba ang nais nilang makamtan (This is what true service is-leaving a legacy and paving the way for others to achieve what they aspire to)," he said. "[T]o my knowledge, there is no other official reference that brings together this wealth of information with the same level of comprehensiveness and organization. It is a work that lawyers, diplomats, judges, scholars, students, and policymakers will consult for many years to come," he added.
Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, in a recorded message, said the book serves as an excellent reference to better understand and utilize treaty law and foreign relations law. "Mahalagang kasangkapan ito sa pagtatanggol ng ating pambansang soberanya, teritoryo at ng mga karapatan ng bawat Pilipino (It is an important instrument to protect our sovereignty, territory, and the rights of every Filipino)," he said.
The PFRL and PTIF are Malaya's sixth and seventh books, the others being the 'Treaties: Guidance on Practices and Procedures' (2nd ed., 2025), 'Enhancing International Legal Cooperation: Extradition, Mutual Legal Assistance, and Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreements' (2019); 'Stewards of the Nation: Aguinaldo to Duterte and their Inaugural Visions' (2018); 'Forging Partnerships: Philippine Defense Cooperation in Constitutional and International Laws' (2017); and 'Frontlines of Diplomacy: Conversations with Philippine Ambassadors' (2011), a Finalist for the 2012 Philippine National Book Awards.
The book launch, co-hosted by the DFA Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs, the Foreign Service Institute, the Embassy of the Philippines in The Hague and the UP Law Complex, was attended by over a hundred diplomats, senior government officials, judges, deans of law schools, heads of international studies programs, and other guests. Copies of the book are available at the University of the Philippines Law Complex's Book Room. For more information, please visit https://law.upd.edu.ph/uplc-bookroom-purchase-procedure/.
