Religion and the Constitution

Does the Catholic Church, represented by its bishops, have a right to criticize the government or to influence the political views and conduct of its members?  Does the Catholic Church have a right to criticize Brother Mike Velarde, or to call him to task for supporting charter change in defiance of the Catholic bishops? From … Read more

The conversation of rallies

It was a day of spectacular contrasts, a virtual feast for a visual anthropologist. From the richest side of the city, walled in by the country’s tallest buildings, the “pro-democracy” rally raised the specter of a new Marcos and warned against reversing the gains of the 1986 People Power Revolution.  Clad in signature yellow, with … Read more

The August 20 issues

On the anniversary of his assassination, it is well to remember what Ninoy Aquino stood for, but to hold a demonstration against amending the Constitution on this day seems an odd way to mark his political martyrdom. A constitution belongs to the living.  It is meant to express a generation’s fluid relationship to the world … Read more

The Sandiganbayan’s defining moment

In denying the release of $150 million from the $590 million disputed Marcos funds to compensate the Marcos regime’s human rights victims, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Francis Garchitorena took the risk of being called an enemy of human rights.  All that he wants is to prevent corrupt people from getting away with their crime. “Does he … Read more