Law student bags 2nd place in Philippine Space Agency essay competition

A student of the De La Salle University – Tañada-Diokno School of Law (TDSOL) ranked 2nd place in the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Space Policy and Law Essay Writing Contest. The awarding took place on 9 August 2025, during Philippine Space Week celebrations hosted by PhilSA.

With the theme “What is outer space and how should our national laws define it?”, the contest challenged law students nationwide to tackle a fundamental question at the intersection of law and science. 

In his essay, “Drawing the Line with the Pen of Law: Defining Outer Space”, TDSOL student Justin Christopher de Borja proposed a Philippine legal definition of “outer space” that is rooted in scientific evidence while upholding the principles of governance, sovereignty, and international law. 

By weaving together constitutional mandates, scientific reasoning, and state practice, his essay highlighted the Philippines’ proactive role in shaping the future of global space policy – beginning with a definition that is both pragmatic and internationally recognized.