Magsaysay awardee Tommy Koh recalls Philippine ties in Singapore public lecture on law and diplomacy
Singaporean diplomat and 2026 Ramon Magsaysay awardee Professor Tommy Koh gave the Ramon Magsaysay Public Lecture at NUS Bukit Timah Campus on 19 October, recalling his ties with the Philippines, the Philippine Embassy in Singapore said on 22 October.
Veteran diplomat and lawyer Professor Tommy Koh, one of the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay awardees, delivered the Ramon Magsaysay Public Lecture on 19 October 2026 at the National University of Singapore Bukit Timah Campus Auditorium, the Philippine Embassy in Singapore said on 22 October. The lecture focused on diplomacy, ASEAN, and the importance of peace, multilateralism and international law.
According to the embassy, Koh highlighted his ties with the Philippines, including the unveiling of a marker honouring Philippine national hero Dr Jose Rizal at the Asian Civilisations Museum while he chaired Singapore's National Heritage Board, his mentorship under former Philippine Foreign Minister Carlos P. Romulo, and his work with Ambassador Rosario Manalo in drafting the ASEAN Charter. He also cited a Filipino artist's artworks on the Alkaff Bridge at Robertson Quay as a symbol of friendship between the Philippines and Singapore.
The embassy said Koh shared three lessons: to keep pursuing peace despite the reality of conflict, to strengthen the voice of small states in the international system, and to have the courage to "speak truth to power" in defence of international law and the rules-based order.
The question-and-answer session was co-moderated by former Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia Domingo Albert, a trustee of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, and Dr Nilüfer Oral, Director of the NUS Centre for International Law. The embassy said Koh is the fourth Singaporean to receive the award.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation named Koh a 2026 awardee for his leadership in international diplomacy. The foundation said the awards will be formally presented at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila on Sunday, 15 November 2026.
Key facts
- Professor Tommy Koh delivered the Ramon Magsaysay Public Lecture at NUS Bukit Timah Campus Auditorium on 19 October 2026.
- Koh recalled his ties with the Philippines, including a Jose Rizal marker at the Asian Civilisations Museum and work with Ambassador Rosario Manalo on the ASEAN Charter.
- Former Philippine Foreign Secretary Delia Domingo Albert co-moderated the question-and-answer session.
- The 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awards will be presented at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila on 15 November 2026.
Official sources
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