PH reelected as member of int'l justice organization's key committee

The Philippines was unanimously reelected to serve another two-year term until 2027 as an ad hoc member of an influential committee of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), recognizing its active role and sustained commitment to advancing rule of law and access to justice.

Established in 1988, IDLO enables governments and empowers people to reform laws and strengthen institutions.

The election took place on December 12 at the Consiglio Nazionale dell'Economia e del Lavoro (CNEL) in Rome, Italy.

Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative Neal Imperial will represent the Philippines at the organization's standing committee.

In his remarks, Imperial reaffirmed the country’s strong support for IDLO’s foundations for sustainable development, emphasizing the "urgent need to strengthen the rule of law, ensure accountability and protect human rights as foundational elements for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16" adopted by members of the United Nations.

“We must be candid: SDG16 – peace, justice and inclusive institutions – remains far from being achieved in the foreseeable future," Imperial said.

"Conflict and geopolitical tensions persist and have even exacerbated. To many, access to justice remains limited. Even where progress is made, vulnerable groups and marginalized communities, especially women and girls and Indigenous peoples, continue to be left behind,” he added.

Imperial also reiterated the Philippines’ continued call for consistent adherence to a rules-based international order, including respect for the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), its dispute settlement mechanisms, and the just and sustainable governance of oceans amid ongoing maritime rifts with China in the West Philippine Sea.

“As a maritime nation, international law, particularly in maritime spaces, is essential to our future. The rule of law is the heartbeat of Philippine democracy, enshrined in its Constitution. It guides our pursuit of justice, equality and accountable governance," he said.

"While challenges remain, we have seen how the rule of law protects our people and strengthens our institutions."

The Philippines is a strong advocate of rules-based governance and has consistently called for adherence to international law, including the United Nations Charter, the Vienna Conventions governing inter-state relations, and in the maritime domain the 1982 UNCLOS.

During the session, the Philippines expressed its appreciation to IDLO and its donors and partners, particularly the United States and the European Union, for the significant progress achieved in expanding access to justice, modernizing legal frameworks and strengthening Philippine justice sector capacity through close collaboration with Philippine government agencies and civil society organizations.

However, Imperial stressed that it is crucial to enhance burden- and responsibility-sharing to enable IDLO to continue its work and continue delivering results amid ongoing funding shortfalls, recognizing the organization’s catalytic role in strengthening domestic rule-of-law frameworks.

The Standing Committee serves as one of IDLO’s governing bodies, providing appropriate oversight on behalf of the member parties. It monitors the implementation of key decisions of the Assembly of Parties, reviews and approves the Organization’s external audit reports and financial statements, and formulates reports and recommendations for consideration by the Assembly.

The Philippines has served continuously on the Standing Committee since 2019. It also served as member of the Audit and Finance Committee (AFC) for two terms from 2011 to 2014.

IDLO is an intergovernmental organization composed of 40 member parties and governed by the Assembly of Parties, the Standing Committee, and the AFC. It was granted an observer status at the UN General Assembly in 2022.

The Philippines is a founding member of IDLO and officially became a member party in 1989. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News