People must know that there are consequences to human rights violations

People must know that there are consequences to human rights violations So argues Professor Antonio La Viña, a fierce human rights advocate and law teacher. A resolution calling for Senator Leila De Lima’s immediate release was recently introduced in a U.S. Senate Committee and a Bill was approved banning the entry into the USA of “Philippine officials involved in the [illegal] detention of Senator Leila M. De Lima.” Malacañang’s response was that the “U. S. Senate's move is a "brazen" attempt to intrude into the Philippines' internal affairs,” and that “it treats Manila as an ‘inferior state’." Professor Antonio La…

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“The Black letter law does not operate in a vacuum but in a concrete context”

“The Black letter law does not operate in a vacuum but in a concrete context” So elucidates Law teacher and columnist Tony La Viña on the import of R.A. 10592 or the GCTA law, in light of the public outcry against the release from New Bilibid Prison of life-termer Antonio Sanchez. In his column “Eagle Eyes” of 31 August, Professor La Viña, a human rights advocate, guides the reader through the beginnings and the spirit of the law, which is “to reward authentic good behavior”. It need not exclude “all those who have committed heinous crimes,” he contends. Professor La…

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State of the Filipino family: realities on the ground

State of the Filipino family: realities on the ground Professor Elizabeth Aguiling-Pangalangan appeared before the Supreme Court as amicus curae during oral arguments on the legal distinction between illegitimate and legitimate children. She served as expert witness along with Ateneo Law School Dean Cynthia del Castillo on 3 September when both argued for the striking down of Article 992 of the Civil Code as unconstitutional. Prof. Aguiling-Pangalangan, who teaches Persons and Family Relations, cited PSA data of 2017, that records 907,061 (53.3%) of live births as born out of wedlock, indicating more illegitimate children born in the country than legitimate…

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“Mayor, mayor, dapat ka bang palayain na?”

“Mayor, mayor, dapat ka bang palayain na?” – discussions on the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law and Mayor Sanchez’ impending release. News of Mayor Sanchez’ impending release from prison shook the country; reliving the collective dread Filipinos felt for the rape-slay of UPLB students Eileen Sarmenta and murder Allan Gomez more than twenty (20) years ago. On 30 August 2018, the UP College of Law held the faculty discussion “Mayor, Mayor, dapat ka bang palayain na?” – a spirited balitaktakan on the merits and application of the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law (“GCTA Law”) as part of the Coffe Break…

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What is Law?: How to study and why it matters how you study

What is Law?: How to study and why it matters how you study On August 10, 2019, a rainy Saturday afternoon, the UP College of Law hosted a kapihan session entitled “What is Law: How to study and why it matters how you study”. It’s guest of honor and speaker was Supreme Court Associate Justice Mario Victor F. Leonen who is also a former dean of the college. “You cannot be a revolutionary if you are not a master of Law” began Justice Leonen’s discussion. He emphasized that UP lawyers must know the law well enough to see its interstices…

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Conversations with Robert Swift

Conversations with Robert Swift UP IHR hosts talk with martial law victims lead counsel The University of the Philippines Law Center - Institute of Human Rights (UP IHR) and the Commmission in Human Rights(CHR) hosted on 9 July 2019 a public talk for the lead counsel of a successful class suit of Martial Law victims against the Marcoses. Titled “Conversations with Robert Swift,” the event was held at the Lecture Room of Bocobo Hall. Swift is an American lawyer who first led around 6,000 martial law victims-survivors in winning the class suit against the estate of the late dictator Ferdinand…

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