Partners in rule of law, constitutionalism, AI
State visits often carry the dual promise of peace and progress. When two sovereign leaders shake hands and toast glasses—gesturing toward diplomatic ties, negotiations, and partnerships—people feel a surge of curiosity and optimism. Yet beyond ritual protocol, the deeper value lies in the concrete agreements these visits affirm and the strategic directions they chart for the future of both nations.
THE VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY, LEE JAE-MYUNG, the President of South Korea, during the next two days, in my humble view, presents a rare opportunity for Korean partnership with the Philippines in upholding the rule of law and constitutionalism over lawlessness and dictatorship.
The Philippines and the world witnessed a profound demonstration of democratic resilience in South Korea during the upheaval caused by the unlawful declaration of martial law in late 2024. This led to the impeachment of the sitting president. I was struck by how swiftly their democracy recovered from what could have become a fatal crisis. Notably, this recovery stressed the power of civilians, especially a new generation that viewed martial law as a relic of a bygone era.
They understood that the rule of law is the strongest safeguard against the caprices of power. They proved, beyond a shadow of doubt, that a true democracy cannot be ruled by men, but by laws. This is a fundamental lesson on liberty that we, Filipinos, have also learned the hard way over our own democratic history. With great admiration, I support the recent nominations of the South Korean citizens for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
President Lee Jae-myung’s ascent after the upheaval is deeply instructive. His journey—from childhood poverty to human rights lawyer to the presidency—resonates with me, as I too had wrestled with poverty and setbacks before becoming Chief Justice of our country.
In his speech at the United Nations last year, President Lee quoted Nobel Prize-winning novelist Han Kang and declared South Korea’s return as a “beacon of light” for democracy and global citizens.
PURSUANT TO THE 2025 APEC SUMMIT ECONOMIC DISCUSSIONS, this state visit will advance our two nations’ shared priorities. By exchanging best practices, innovations, and resources, and leveraging the momentum of the Philippine-Korea Free Trade Agreement, we can further strengthen economic stability.
Filipinos, yours truly included, have come to enjoy K-drama, K-pop, and K-food. But beyond culture and entertainment, South Korea stands at the forefront of technological advancement. In my column last Feb. 2, I wrote with awe about “Atlas,” the humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics, an engineering and robotics design company acquired by the Korean automotive manufacturing giant, Hyundai Motor Group (see “Robotics, for better or for worse,” 2/2/2026).
It is no secret that South Korea ranks among the world’s top leaders in electronics and semiconductors—industries at the very heart of today’s wave of hi-tech digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) integration. Collaboration in these critical sectors can generate jobs, promote competitiveness, and drive shared growth along an economic trajectory defined by automation.
For the business community, President Lee’s visit signifies a commitment to productivity and transparency that transcends rhetoric. We also recognize the principle that ex dolo malo non oritur actio—a right of action cannot arise from fraud or irregularity. Investor confidence is a byproduct of the ratio legis—the soul of the law—which underpins stable regulatory frameworks.
Against this backdrop, the Philippines continues to confront investigations into corruption scandals. The path forward requires renewed dedication to protecting institutional integrity. Economic growth and the rule of law are intertwined and mutually inclusive; judicial credibility reinforces investor confidence, and development that neglects justice becomes brittle.
AS THE PHILIPPINES ASSUMES THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) CHAIRMANSHIP, our bilateral successes with Seoul will serve as a prima facie case for a rules-based regional order. Asean stands at a crossroads, navigating great power rivalries and security tensions. The challenge is to imbue “Asean centrality” with credibility rooted in shared norms. The Philippines earned global respect when it chose arbitration over arms and stood firmly, with dignity and honor, on the side of international maritime law.
Both nations learned that constitutionalism is not self-executing; pacta sunt servanda—agreements must be kept—not only among countries but also between a state and its people. The state visit, then, offers both countries an opportunity not merely to celebrate friendship, but to recalibrate cooperation anchored on shared constitutional values, democratic resilience, and rules-based development.
As both nations look back on decades of partnership, and forward to challenges that no nation can face alone, this visit offers a timely reminder of a simple but demanding truth: That liberty and prosperity are best safeguarded and nurtured when the rule of law governs power, not the other way around.
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