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)'…