Pasay city: A Filipino book offering essential updates on international legal standards was officially launched in the Philippines on Friday. The second edition of "Treaties and Guidance on Practices and Procedures," co-authored by Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya and University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law Prof. Rommel Casis, is seen to serve as a valuable reference for law practitioners amid shifts in the landscape of Philippine treaty law and practice.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs (OTLA) Edgar Badajos highlighted the significance of the book during the launch event held in Pasay City. Badajos emphasized that the second edition acts as a crucial guide for navigating the complexities of treaty negotiations. He noted that the latest edition includes two significant updates: DFA-OTLA Circular No. 01-2025, which simplifies the requirements for special authority and full powers, and the Office of the President Memorandum Circular No. 51-2024, which covers requests for authority to negotiate and sign international agreements such as foreign loans and grants.
Badajos remarked on the importance of legal frameworks in international relations, stating that diplomacy serves as a bridge connecting nations, while the law provides the foundational support. He stressed that without clear procedures and stable legal frameworks, agreements would lack durability. The updated edition of the book is designed to not only document rules but also to safeguard the Philippines' commitments by bridging the gap between academia and the practitioners at the forefront of Philippine diplomacy.
In the foreword of the book, DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro expressed that the book will offer practitioners a comprehensive compilation of fragmented sources and provide the procedural clarity necessary for navigating the complex landscape of international relations. Copies of the book are available at the UP Law Center Bookroom.
