On 10 November 2015, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Makati Chapter ("IBP - Makati"), in collaboration with US – ASEAN Business Council Inc. (“UABC”), held an informative breakfast forum called "Emerging threat to trade and investment activities in ASEAN: West Philippine Sea Dispute”.

 

This was the first forum in what will be a series of informative fora on diverse topics that IBP – Makati will hold as part of celebrating its 25th anniversary this 2016.

 

Representatives from different member companies of  UABC and several officers and members of IBP - Makati attended the forum.

 

President Gbert Zerrudo opened the forum with a brief description of the territorial disputes surrounding the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea and how it will have a significant effect on the trading route and may lead to strategic control of important air and shipping lanes in Southeast Asia.

 

A video presentation of Philippine Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio’s lecture entitled "The Rule of Law in the West Philippine Sea" was t shown. It enlightened and updated members of UABC on the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea. Atty. Jay Batongbacal, Director - Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea UP Law Center, acted as rapporteur and responded to the reactions and questions from the attendees.

 

Elizabeth Magsaysay-Crebassa, Senior Representative ASEAN Energy Philippines – UABC, concluded the event with a brief description of how UABC serves as the leading voice of the United States private sector in promoting mutually beneficial trade and investment relationships between the United States and Southeast Asia.