The Philippine government has hired foreign legal experts as its representatives in its case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands.
Answering criticisms, Malacañang argued that the country needs the help of these foreign experts who have “international reputation appearing before the tribunal.”
Based on GMA News Online’s research, the five lawyers have extensive experience and impressive records on territorial disputes.
Meet the Philippine government’s representatives in its arbitration case against China.
The Philippine team at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, before the start of the oral arguments in connection with the arbitration case against China. Among the team members are Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Secretary Ronald Llamas, Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, Jr., Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa, Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Benjamin Caguioa, Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Menardo Guevarra, Consul General Henry Bensurto, as well as the legal counsels led by Mr. Paul Reichler of Foley Hoag. Department of Foreign Affairs
Paul Reichler – The Chambers Guides, which ranks law firms and lawyers from over 190 jurisdictions around the world, called Reichler “one of the world’s most respected and experienced practitioners of Public International Law,” who “belongs to a select group of elite lawyers with extensive experience litigating on behalf of Sovereign States before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea in Hamburg.”
Lawrence H. Martin – A partner at Foley Hoag LLP’s Washington D.C. office and is a member of its International Litigation and Arbitration Department, Martin holds an A.B., summa cum laude from Bowdoin College in 1988 and a J.D., magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, Martin has focused his practice on international disputes, with particular interest in those related to the Law of the Sea and international environmental cases.