30 October 2014 - Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Jaime Victor B. Ledda viewed on October 29 the country’s newly-finished “national chair” at the Peace Palace in The Hague, seat of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). 

The PCA was established in 1899 during the First Hague Peace Conference.  It facilitates arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states, intergovernmental organizations and private parties.  Today, it has 116 member-states.

The chair serves as the national symbol of the Philippines in the international institution.

“The use of the chair, with the country’s national coat of arms, is a time-honored tradition of the Court.  As a strong advocate for the peaceful settlement of disputes and the rule of law, it is only appropriate that the Philippines joins other PCA members in having a national chair at the Peace Palace,” Ambassador Ledda said. 

Once made, the chair becomes the property of the relevant state in perpetual custody of the PCA, with the understanding that it is for exclusive use at the Peace Palace during meetings of the PCA Administrative Council and its sub-organs, high-level visits from that state and other such occasions as might be appropriate. The chair is also normally on display with other national chairs during guided tours of the Peace Palace.

The Philippines became a member of the PCA in 2010. END