On Public Apathy, Weaponization of the Law, and the Demise of Fundamental Freedoms An Opinion piece in the Rappler on 7 May, rings alarm-bells concerning the new “norms” evolving in governance. Commenting on the shut-down of ABS-CBN, Professor John Molo who teaches Constitutional Law at UP, takes us through the process that enabled such a move – from the acquiescence to a fatal government measure, to the normalization of impunity, down to the express undermining of fundamental freedoms. The Opinion traces the many extra-Constitutional acts of Government that have honed the art of “weaponizing the law,” which an uncomplaining public…

Authors: Jay L. Batongbacal, JJ Disini, Michelle Esquivias, Dante Gatmaytan, Oliver Xavier A. Reyes, and Theodore Te (20 minutes reading time, 6,487 words) In this paper, professors of the UP College of Law recommend an implementation framework for temporary alternative court procedures to facilitate the prompt resumption of court proceedings despite the health risks posed by the COVID-19 emergency. This is in recognition of the effects of the pandemic to the judicial system, including its consequences on the efficient operation of the courts to its general impact on the rule of law. The authors formulate short-term, medium-term, and long-term approaches to…