PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW
Public International Law governs the relationship between sovereign states and international entities.
In the Philippines, international law is recognized as part of the law of the land, as affirmed by Article II, Section 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which provides that the Philippines adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of its legal system.
Below are the major subtopics of Public International Law in the Philippines, with relevant case laws.
Sources of International Law
The sources of international law, as recognized in Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), include treaties, customary international law, general principles of law recognized by civilized nations, judicial decisions, and teachings of the most qualified publicists.
These sources play a crucial role in shaping both global and domestic legal systems. The Constitution and Supreme Court decisions have reinforced the significance of these international law sources, integrating them into the national legal framework.
Doctrines of International Law
International law rests on core doctrines that explain how states acquire obligations, exercise power, and incur responsibility on the global stage.
These doctrines aren’t abstract ideals—they are the rules the bar uses to test treaty obligations, state conduct, jurisdiction, and accountability, especially in problem questions involving cross-border disputes, immunity, or international commitments.
For the Philippines, these doctrines matter because international law is part of the legal landscape—through constitutional incorporation, treaty participation, and state practice. Bar questions often ask how and when international rules apply domestically, who is bound, and what happens when obligations are breached.
Mastery of these doctrines lets you quickly frame answers on treaties, state responsibility, jurisdiction, and dispute resolution—the recurring pressure points in PIL questions.
Key takeaway for the bar: PIL doctrines are not theory—they are the decision rules for answering international law questions under time pressure.