MANDALUYONG CITY — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) welcomed law students, legal experts, and academic leaders to the next round of the 2025 National Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) with a welcome dinner held on December 1 at the PRC National Headquarters in Mandaluyong.

The 2025 National Moot Court Competition on IHL is organized by the Philippine Red Cross in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This year’s quarter-semi final rounds will be hosted by the University of the Philippines (UP), while the competition’s final round and awarding will commence at the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Following the General Rounds held on November 14, the following Top 8 Universities were invited to participate in the welcome dinner and will advance to the Face-to-Face Quarterfinals to be held at UP Diliman: Ateneo de Zamboanga University; Batangas State University – The National Engineering University; Ateneo de Naga University College of Law; Bukidnon State University; Cor Jesu College Inc; University of the Philippines Diliman; Arellano University School of Law; and Cagayan State University College of Law. 

Along with the contestants, also present were PRC Member of the Board of Governors and Chairperson of PRC IHL Committee, Atty. Rodolfo “Inky” Reyes; Dean of UP College of Law, Atty. Gwen Grecia-De Vera; Associate Professor and Institute of International Studies Director of UP College of Law, Atty. Rommel Casis; ICRC Legal Adviser Atty. Gabriel Calleja; and Program Director of International Financial Law and Regulation Program Institute of International Legal Studies, Atty. Ma. Golda Gigi Mendoza.

In his inspiring message to the youth, PRC Chairman & CEO Richard J. Gordon recalled the origins of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with founder Jean Henri Dunant and the importance of IHL, especially in today’s world. He also imparted wise words to the participants of the aforesaid competition.

“Participation in this competition is more than an academic exercise: it is a defining moment. Do not remain spectators. Engage fully, allow yourselves to be influenced, and understand that your influence must extend far beyond intelligence alone. What you will discuss here has the power to shape minds, guide future decisions, and strengthen the humanitarian foundations of our nation,” said Chairman Gordon.

Chairman Gordon has long since advocated for IHL in the country. During his time as a Senator, he authored Republic Act 9851 or the “Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Serious International Crimes,” which was signed into law in 2009. His actions strengthened the enforcement of IHL in the country by incorporating it into the country’s domestic legal framework, defining and penalizing wartime atrocities. 

Meanwhile, PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang underscored the goal of the moot court competition, hoping that the country’s future leaders in law grow rooted in integrity and compassion. 

“In 2005, we started the National Moot Court Competition in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Since then, it has become one of PRC’s flagship academic advocacy initiatives, further strengthened by the University of the Philippines and the Supreme Court of the Philippines. This competition aims to deepen respect for IHL and inspire future leaders that engage in politics with legal awareness while safeguarding human dignity, especially in times of conflict,” said the PRC Secretary General.

As part of the competition guidelines for ethical and fair judging, participating universities remain anonymous and are referred to via team numbers. 

In a short interview with Team 9’s coach, he emphasized what PRC’s IHL-initiatives meant for future members of the legal profession. “Joining the IHL National Moot Court Competition helps our students to breathe and relax—like a vacation from law school. It’s a productive extracurricular activity because they are able to debate and form connections with new people—especially students who are also studying IHL,” said the coach of Team 9.

Also interviewed was Counsel  1 of Team 6 who called for continuous engagement and awareness on IHL. “For us law students, it’s very important to be engaged with this topic. This competition, along with PRC’s humanitarian mission, made us really understand IHL better and have a better grasp on it. While the cases we were presented with were fictional, we cannot deny that these realities are real. It happens, it can happen, and it will always happen unless we have a better grasp of IHL,” said Team 6’s Counsel 1. 

As the competition heads into its final stages, the PRC would like to congratulate everyone who participated and thank them for their support toward learning and advocating for International Humanitarian Law. 

The Philippine Red Cross is Always First, Always Ready, and Always There.