Prof. Batongbacal: "Submissiveness as a Foreign Policy Strategy?" "Submissiveness as a Foreign Policy Strategy?" Writing on the President's intent to unilaterally announce Scarborough Shoal as a marine sanctuary, Prof. Jay Batongbacal said that such a move may seem like a solution beneficial to both Philippines and China; rather, it entails serious risks when executed prematurely compared to a negotiated agreement with clear terms and conditions. Citing how the status will limit fishing activities to outside the reef, Prof. Batongbacal said: "It actually favors China more than the Philippines, since it can result in a marked reduction, rather than full recovery,…

Prof. Tony La Viña: What does the 1987 Constitution say in case of disability or serious illness of the President? Touching on current reports on the health of the President Duterte, legal scholar and teacher Tony La Viña directs attention to the “controlling constitutional provisions” on “Presidential health and succession.” Professor La Viña writes a weekly column “Eagle Eyes” in the  Manila Standard. Link for the full discussion: http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/277483  

Prof. Jay Batongbacal: Federalism Option and National Territory Highlights from RBH No. 15 (The original article is posted on Prof. Batongbacal’s Facebook page, linked at the bottom. His three-part post is collated here in full.) Speaker Macapagal-Arroyo’s September Surprise of a charter-change proposal certainly raised eyebrows, but it was not until the inflation and rice issues blew over somewhat that proper consideration was directed toward the unexpected constitutional initiative. Attention immediately zeroed in on the incredibly brazen attempt to exclude the current duly-elected Vice President from the line of succession to the Presidency through a transitory provision: a sleight-of-hand to…