The Institute for Maritime and Ocean Affairs (IMOA) had the distinct honor to nominate Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio of the Supreme Court of the Philippines for the UPAA Distinguished Alumni Award for Nationalism and International Law. The nomination was submitted last January 27, 2015 to the University of the Philippines Alumni Association Committee on Alumni Awards:

“IMOA has been privy to the passion that drives Justice Carpio’s advocacy. His lectures on the West Philippine Sea issues, based on research using his own personal resources, have been delivered not only to students and professors of the subject, but also to members of the Foreign Service, and officers and staff of the Armed Forces and the National Defense establishment. Those who listen to his counsel are the most senior government officials who are primarily responsible for the resolution of these issues, prompting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. Del Rosario to state:

‘I cannot commend Justice Carpio enough for consistently serving as one of our steadfast advocates and notable scholars on the West Philippine Sea issue. I moreover welcome this opportunity for the DFA to express our deep admiration, our high regard, and our warm esteem for Justice Carpio.’”

It is therefore with gratitude and pride that IMOA announces that UPAA shall officially confer the Distinguished Alumni Award for Nationalism and International Law on Justice Antonio T. Carpio during the UPAA Homecoming on June 20, 2015 at the Bahay ng Alumni.