PHILIPPINES APPOINTED ANEW TO WTO APPELLATE BODY

28 November 2007– The World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body on Tuesday appointed the Philippines again as Member of its Appellate Body, which the Department of Foreign Affairs here describes as "another demonstration of the international community's recognition of the Philippines' contributions to multilateral trade."

In a report to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, the Philippine Permanent Mission to the WTO in Geneva said Ambassador Lilia R. Bautista was appointed member of the WTO Appellate Body, along with three other nominees from the United States, Japan and China.

Ambassador Bautista will serve a four year term to begin in December 2007.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said the Philippines' appointment to the Appellate Body "clearly demonstrated the international community's trust and confidence in the Philippines and our commitment to the multilateral rules-based trading system and the dispute settlement system in the WTO."

Highlighting Ambassador Bautista's "sterling record of service" as scholar, legal practitioner, policy maker, diplomat, trade negotiator, and government regulator in the field of law, trade and economics, Secretary Romulo said Ambassador Bautista received the full support of WTO members.

"With her experience and expertise, Ambassador Bautista's appointment will allow the Philippines to continue contributing actively and effectively as a Member of the WTO Appellate Body. We are grateful for the trust and support of WTO Members, including fellow Member States from ASEAN," Secretary Romulo added.

Ambassador Bautista is currently a Consultant of the Philippine Judicial Academy. She also serves as a Director in the Boards of leading Philippine corporations.

Ambassador Bautista was the Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN, WTO, WHO, ILO, and Other International Organizations in Geneva, from December 1992 to June 1999.

After her assignment in Geneva, Ambassador Bautista returned to the Department of Trade and Industry in July 1999 to become Senior Undersecretary and Special Trade Negotiator.

In March 2000, she was appointed Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Philippines.

The Appellate Body, which sits in Geneva, Switzerland, was established in 1995 under Article 17 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes.

It is a standing body of seven persons that hears appeals from reports issued by panels in disputes brought by WTO Members. The Appellate Body can uphold, modify or reverse the legal findings and conclusions of a panel, and Appellate Body Reports, once adopted by the Dispute Settlement Body, must be accepted by the parties to the dispute.

Members of the Appellate Body have four-year terms. They have to be individuals with recognized standing in the field of law and international trade, and not affiliated with any government.

Nine candidates were nominated by the seven WTO members for the four vacancies in the Appellate Body.  

This is the second time the Philippines is appointed to the WTO Appellate Body in 12 years.  Retired Justice Florentino Feliciano served as one of the first members of the Appellate Body from its establishment in 1995.

The Philippines is a founding member of the WTO. END

/wingret

(Home)