
More than 250 participants from the members of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff, other National Government Agencies, Business communities, Civil Society Organizations, Academe, Legal Practitioners, and other relevant stakeholders gathered in Puerto Princesa City on November 27-30 for the National Summit on Sustainability and Environmental Law.
The summit, considered one of the most critical gatherings for the environment, aims to address escalating climate challenges, promote sustainable development, and propose amendments to the Philippinesโ Rules of Procedure on Environmental Cases (RPEC)
In his opening speech, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen stressed that environmental right is a human right as it is an intricate part of Article III, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution that “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.”

With the theme โEnabling Environmental and Climate Justice: Bridging Science and Law for Responsive Rules and Sustainable Developmentโ, SAJ Leonen highlighted key points for consideration in revising the Rules, such as the adequacy of the writs of kalikasan and continuing mandamus, the concept of environmental tort action, legal standing in environmental cases, expanding the scope of Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), and the role and challenges of developmental and social-challenge lawyering in the context of climate justice.

The Summit is organized by the Supreme Court Judicial Committee on Sustainability and Environmental Concerns in partnership with the development partners, such as, among others, EU-GOJUST II Programme, the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement through the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, and the United States Forest Service.