Prof. Tony La Viña: Vagrancy laws as instruments of oppression The doctrine of parens patriae invoked by  President Duterte, in ordering a campaign against ‘tambays’ (loiterers), is distorted, explains Lawyer Tony La Viña in a 5-point article carried in the Manila Standard column ‘Eagle Eyes.’ “The legal doctrine is not at all about the President being the father or parent of the  citizens. It is the State in its entirety that has this role,” he clarifies. Professor La Viña, who teaches, Legal History and Legal Philosophy, points out that vagrancy has been decriminalized in the statute books and that historically anti-vagrancy laws have been feudal in nature. “ ‘Tambay’ and a distorted parens patriae” can…

“There is no ‘co-control’ of Scarborough Shoal” – Prof. Jay Batongbacal During an interview in ANC’s Early Edition program on June 26, 2018, Prof. Jay Batongbacal stated that the incidents when Filipino fishermen were repeatedly harassed by the Chinese Coast Guard at the Scarborough Shoal definitely did not show a “co-control” of the area. Disputing Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano’s statement that the Philippines was jointly in control of the territory with China, the maritime expert pointed out that the area lacked the presence of Philippine authorities that will protect the fishermen’s interests. “Ideally, the government should work towards China’s…

Prof. Dan Gatmaytan: Same-sex marriage petition before SC stood on solid ground In light of lawyer Jesus Falcis III’s petition to the Supreme Court for same-sex marriage, Prof. Dante Gatmaytan stressed that the argument was valid and a “bold step” for the LGBTQ community. During the oral arguments on June 19, 2018, the SC justices disputed Falcis’ petition, primarily citing procedural flaws. However, Gatmaytan opined that the court was simply reluctant to discuss the issue, and the issue had transcendental importance, affecting a significant percentage of the population. “If we understand the value of marriage, and how important it is…