DFA Consular Office in Tacloban Participates in DFA-OTLA, UPLC-IMLOS Webinar Series on the Constitution and Foreign Policy  

TACLOBAN CITY 13 October 2020 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Consular Office (CO) in Tacloban participated in the Webinar Series on “The Constitution and Foreign Policy - Viewing Philippine Foreign Policy under the Constitutional Lens,” organized by the Department’s Office of Treaties and legal Affairs (OTLA) and the University of the Philippines College of Law - Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UPLC-IMLOS), on 05 to 06 October 2020. 

The webinar was attended by over 100 participants from various government agencies, Foreign Service Posts (FSPs), Consular Offices (COs), and Law schools in the country. 

The Webinar’s first day focused on topics such as “Introduction to Treaty Law and Observance and Interpretation of Treaties,” “Constitutional Foundations of Philippine Foreign Policy” and “Understanding the Geographical Extent of the Philippines under Article I.” On the second day, topics covered were the following-- “Self Defense, the Renunciation of War and Alliances under the Constitution,” “International Law and the Law of the Land: Incorporation and Transformation of International Legal Norms,”and “National Economy and National Security: Foreign Investment in Strategic Assets and Industries.”

The event aims to provide an opportunity for participants to examine the Department’s foreign policy in light of the relevant provisions of the Philippine constitution and international law.

“The webinar was very informative about the basic principles of observance and interpretation of treaties, where treaties are considered the central axioms of public international law. It also emphasized the importance of foreign policy to a country and how it should protect the territorial integrity and the interest of its citizens both within and outside the country. The two-day webinar elevated my understanding and knowledge on Foreign Policy and Treaties, which will be useful for me as a Consular Officer,” according to Ms. Danilyn Servande, one of the CO’s staff who attended the activity. 

“Foreign policy is an interesting yet complex subject matter to dive into but participating in the webinar has given me a better understanding and appreciation of its importance and the Department’s significant role in pursuing strong foreign relations with other countries, preserving national security and sovereignty, and in determining and protecting our national territory,” added CO staff Ms. Karen Jane Zurita. END

(Tacloban CO photos)