NETHERLANDS – The Philippines has assembled a crack international legal team to fight an unprecedented arbitration case under the United Nations’ Convention on the Law of the Sea – ignoring growing pressure from Beijing to scrap the action.

An ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau report said members of the Philippine legal team stayed up late last night in The Hague, Netherlands to map out their legal strategy as they prepare to present the Philippines’ case before the Arbitral Tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Peace Palace.

In an announcement from Malacanang, the Palace said the Philippines will present its case regarding the matter of jurisdiction before the tribunal from 2:30 pm until 5:30 pm. (8:30 pm Manila time)

Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, as agent of the Philippines, will open the presentation. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario will speak on the reason for the filing of the Philippines’ case. Thereafter, lawyers from Washington-based law firm Foley Hoag, led by Paul Reichler will present the arguments regarding jurisdiction.

The entire Philippine delegation will be present to witness the proceedings.

Members from the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary form part of the Philippine delegation, namely: Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Supreme Court Associate Justices Antonio Carpio and Francis Jardeleza, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Benjamin Caguioa, Sandiganbayan Justice Sarah Fernandez, Undersecretary Emmanuel Bautista, and Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevara.

Read more: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/07/07/15/ph-fights-china-un-tribunal