Two books, described by Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro as ‘remarkable contributions’ to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the legal and diplomatic community, were launched in a ceremony on Aug. 11 that gathered about a hundred diplomats, senior government officials, judges, law school deans, heads of international studies programs and other guests.
Both published by the University of the Philippines (UP) Law Complex, the book ‘Philippine Foreign Relations Law: State Practices, Policy Advocacies and Perspectives’ (PFRL) is authored by Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya; while ‘Philippine Treaties in Force 2025’ (PTIF) is edited by Ambassador Malaya with the assistance of Third Secretary and Vice Consul Crystal Gale Dampil-Mandigma, and Attaché Kieren Batiles of the Philippine Embassy in the The Hague, the Netherlands.
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,’ Lazaro said in remarks delivered on her behalf by Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega.
‘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,’ the DFA chief said.
‘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 bit.ly and online links to the full texts of the agreements.
‘The Philippine Foreign Relations Law’ 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-à-vis the international legal organizations in The Hague, notably the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), wherein he 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.
Valuable reference
‘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 who earlier served as DFA legal adviser and assistant secretary for treaties and legal affairs.
‘It is hoped that these books contribute to the documentation, understanding and deeper appreciation of Philippine State practice and engagements with international law. By portraying international law in action from the Philippine perspective, may it serve as a valuable reference for diplomats, government officials, lawyers, academics, law students, and the general public,’ Malaya added.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Raul Villanueva commended Malaya and the coeditors’ scholarship beyond the regular demands of work, noting that this is what true service to country really means.
In a recorded video message, Akbayan Rep. Jose Manuel ‘Chel’ Diokno said that ‘through these books, it will be easier for us to understand and apply our treaty law and foreign relations law. They are important instruments in defending our national sovereignty and the rights of every Filipino.”
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.