Dean Pacifico Agabin interviewed on the possible suspension of the writ of habeas corpus Dean Agabin: Suspension of the writ of habeas corpus would be baseless Dean Pacifico Agabin stated in an interview with 24-Oras GMA News that there is no basis for the President to declare a suspension of the writ of habeas corpus under the present circumstances. Dean Agabin expounds that the country is neither under invasion nor a state of rebellion. The statement comes in reaction to the sentiments expressed by President Rodrigo Duterte that order might be employed if the state of lawlessness spreads across the…

Prof. Tony La Viña: "History cannot be buried" History cannot be Buried Continuing the thread of discussion in his Manila Standard opinion column, Prof. Tony La Viña reflects on the uncertainties regarding the Supreme Court vote on the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos in Libingan ng Mga Bayani. As Prof. La Viña writes, should the court dismiss the petitions in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's stance on the issue, their deferment would signify that "it is the President who has the competence and authority to make this decision." However, the author juxtaposes the scenario with the petitioners' argument that…

Prof. Jay Batongbacal: Presidents are not expected to make meaningless statements Presidents are not expected to make meaningless statements In an interview with GMA7, Law Professor Jay Batongbacal, who also is the Director of UP Law Center Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, said it was hard to understand President Duterte’s declaration of severing military and economic ties with the USA; he explained that the latter might even be unconstitutional. President Duterte declared this intent before Chinese businessmen during his recent state visit in Beijing. The complete article can be accessed at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/585964/news/nation/full-breakup-with-us-difficult-maybe-even-unconstitutional-say-experts.  

Prof. Antonio La Viña: "Moral Crusades and Human Rights" Professor Tony La Viña, columnist of “Eagle Eyes” in the Manila Standard, continues to examine the strong Executive, or President, in pursuance of his programs. In “Moral crusades and human rights,” he discusses a President who wishes to attain change in society with the best of intentions but in disregard of procedural rights of due process, which Prof. La Viña considers fundamental to the rule of law. He warns that “we will pay a high price as a society” if we fail to guard our human rights. The complete article can…

Prof. Batongbacal, Prof. La Viña: Former Defense Secretary Gazmin "duly authorized" to sign EDCA Back to the classroom In the following posts, Professors Jay Batongbacal and Antonio La Viña, point out how international agreements are made, sharing the opinion that heads of state do need not personally sign international treaties. The two separate statements were posted in reaction to President Duterte’s announcement to terminate the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, or EDCA, between the Philippines and USA. Prof. Batongbacal's statement: https://www.facebook.com/jay.batongbacal/posts/10154617989314485 Prof. La Vina's statement: https://www.facebook.com/tonylavs2/posts/1092129624228010 ABS-CBN article: 'A president never signs an int'l agreement (Or why PNoy didn't sign EDCA)'…

Prof. Rowena Daroy-Morales interviewed on Senate probe on extrajudicial killings In her interview with GMA News regarding the current extrajudicial killings investigation in the Senate, Professor Rowena Daroy-Morales, Director of Office of Legal Aid and who teaches Evidence in the College, explained that the format of the Senate hearing was not meant to implicate anyone but aims to find relevant leads on the issue. The following post is a full explanation by Professor Morales: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/581703/news/nation/senate-inquiries-are-not-intended-to-implicate-anyone-law-expert