Albert del Rosario: the staunchest defender of the rules-based international order
One cannot commemorate the Philippines’ victory at the Permanent Arbitration Court, which will hit the tenth-year mark next Sunday, July 12, without remembering former Ambassador to the United States and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario (ADR).
As Foreign Affairs Secretary from 2011 to 2016, ADR led the Philippines' diplomatic efforts and challenged China's claims in the South China Sea. He was instrumental in filing the landmark arbitration case, championing Philippine interests as he asserted that there was no other option to deal with China’s acts except to bring the matter to the arbitral court. His efforts led to the historic 2016 ruling that affirmed the Philippines' sovereign rights.
One year after the landmark arbitral ruling, Del Rosario reflected on what the victory represented for the Philippines: "Today, on the anniversary of the ruling, we should be proud of our country's leadership on this issue. It was a leadership that began from a lonely place but because we stood for what is right, we also gained the respect of the responsible community of nations. Leadership is not a mantle easily shed. Even today, countries hope for us to lead from our position of strength. No other nation can support us more than we do ourselves, and there can be no unity over the right course of action unless we initiate this unity,” he said.
Up until his passing in 2023, ADR fought hard to uphold the Philippines’ legal victory amid continuing struggles in the West Philippine Sea. He persevered as an active, passionate voice in defending the country’s and fellow Filipino’s rights.
He viewed the arbitration case not only as a legal and diplomatic victory but also as an investment in the country's economic future. By defending the Philippines' maritime rights, he fought to safeguard fisheries, energy resources, vital shipping lanes, and other strategic assets that were essential to national development. To this day, the arbitral ruling has been one of the country’s most profound contributions to international law.
He consistently argued that stronger economic relations with China should never come at the expense of Philippine sovereignty, maintaining that economic engagement and the defense of national interests were complementary objectives.
Even after his distinguished service in government, ADR remained an active voice through the Stratbase Institute’s series of public forums, public statements and opinion columns, advocating a whole-of-society approach to defending Philippine sovereignty and promoting democratic governance.
His continued advocacy reflected his belief that safeguarding national interest is a shared responsibility of government, business, and civil society. As the former chairman of our organization, Stratbase, he was one of the wise men who guided us and showed younger members of our organization what it means to tangibly demonstrate one’s love for the country.
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But before he became the public figure that we knew, ADR led an equally dynamic and consequential life in the private sector, where his four-decade business career spanned insurance, banking, real estate, shipping, telecommunication, advertising, consumer products, retail, pharmaceutical and food industries. He performed crucial senior leadership roles or was a member of the Board of many enterprises.
In 2014, the Management Association of the Philippines named him its Management Man of the Year. He was recognized for “setting a leadership example that Filipino professional managers should emulate.”
When he crossed over to the government, Del Rosario brought his strategic mindset to public service. Like visionary business leaders who make difficult decisions for the betterment of future generations, he pursued policies that protected the country's enduring national interests rather than short-term political gains.
He was also the recipient of numerous awards and citations from public, private, and academic institutions here and abroad. These were a testament to his brilliance and dedication.
Ever a source of wisdom and the voice of reason, ADR understood that foreign policy and economic policy are inseparable -- long before the term "economic security" became a widely used policy concept. He knew that peace, stability, and respect for international law create the conditions necessary for investment, trade, job creation, and sustainable growth.
Indeed, his Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) citation also commended him for raising the standards of economic diplomacy.
In the context of today’s situation in the West Philippine Sea, and on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the arbitral ruling, it is ADR’s faith in and commitment to the rules-based international order that stand out most of all.
We remember his words: "When we agree to rules and commit to upholding them, we create predictability, promote stability, foster a peaceful environment conducive to resolving disputes, and maintain the dignity of our independence as a nation. In no other arena would we have the same footing."
He was a consummate diplomat and patriot, believing that principled leadership and fidelity to international law strengthened the country's global standing.
As we reflect on the profound impact and significance of the arbitral award, it follows that we also remember the legacy of Ambassador Albert del Rosario. He was the best example that sovereignty and prosperity are mutually reinforcing, and that defending the country's rights under international law is also an investment in its long-term economic future.
Upon his passing, we at Stratbase honored ADR by recognizing him as a champion of democratic values and rules-based international order. These days, we feel the pangs of his absence even more. We continue to draw upon his wisdom and example, guided by the legacy of a life lived with principle, purpose, and passionate resolve as we confront the enduring geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges facing our nation and our region.
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