Prof. Florin Hilbay: Martial Law in time of 1987 Constitution Martial Law in time of 1987 Constitution: in the absence of a theater of war, there’s no need to impose Martial Law; only military force may be exercised. Professor Florin Hilbay, immediate past Solicitor General, argued before the Supreme Court against the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao, during oral hearings on 16 January 2018. He maintained that it is the constitutional duty of the Supreme Court to reassess the factual basis of the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao, given that the objective of liberating Marawi City had been achieved last October, as declared…

Professor Tony La Viña: Constituent Assembly interpreted under 1987 Constitution Constituent Assembly interpreted under 1987 Constitution When sought for his comments on House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s plan to convene the House of Representatives – without the Senate – as a Constituent Assembly for Charter Change, Professor Tony La Viña observed that “it does not pass any kind of legal, policy, constitutional, or even logical test.” He explained that “the only way a Constituent Assembly can be convened is if there is a joint resolution by both Houses or, without a Senate resolution the House can convene and tackle constitutional amendments…

Prof. Tony La Viña: "Slippery slope of diminishing judicial independence" Professor Tony La Viña writes about the  "Slippery slope of diminishing judicial independence" in connection with the impeachment hearings of Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno being conducted by the House Judicial Committee. The opinion piece was published on Rappler.com on Dec. 6, 2017. He specifically warns that internal disagreements within the Supreme Court should not be the subject of an impeachment complaint as this would erode the independence of the Judiciary at the hands of the political branches of government. "There is no walking back from that; future Chief Justices…