Where international law comes from
“Walang pinirmahang treaty. Obligado pa rin ba tayo?”
International law has no legislature, so Article 38 of the ICJ Statute tells you where to look. The Constitution then tells you how each source gets into a Philippine courtroom — and treaties and custom use different doors.
Study material, not legal advice. Written and checked by the PhilippineLaws team to the best of our knowledge; not reviewed by a lawyer. Check every provision and case against its full text before you rely on it or cite it.
Read the strip. The last panel does not answer — you do, before the rule shows up.
A law school classroom. On the board: "ICJ STATUTE, ART. 38(1)". Bea raises her hand.
BEA“Sir, kung hindi pumirma ang Pilipinas sa treaty, wala tayong obligasyon, 'di ba?”
The assumption that treaties are the only source.
The professor draws two doors on the board, labelled "TREATY" and "CUSTOM".
PROF“Dalawang pinto. Iba ang susi ng bawat isa.”
Transformation for one, incorporation for the other.
Split frame: the President signing a document abroad; the Senate session hall, empty seats.
NARRATIONPinirmahan ng Pangulo. Hindi pa napag-uusapan sa Senado.
Signature is not the end of the process.
Bea at her desk, pen hovering, looking at the reader.
CAPTIONAling pinto ang may kandado — at alin ang bukas na mula pa sa simula?
Vote before the rule.