Academics like myself who have studied revolutions in other countries initially approached the unfolding event at Edsa in February 1986 with great skepticism. Revolution was certainly on no one’s lips at that point. That this could be a turning point in any meaningful sense was farthest from our minds. First, because the main characters behind … Read more
The recent appointment by President Duterte of the leader of Iglesia Ni Cristo, executive minister Eduardo V. Manalo, to a government position presents an interesting case that may test once again the meaning of church-state separation, a principle enshrined in all Filipino constitutions. Apart from the legal issues, it is also worth examining the sociological … Read more
I often wonder which is worse: to be without friends who care or to live without money. I think that, ultimately, it is not having enough friends that is the worse form of poverty. But, in fact, the two are related. Without money, one will likely have little time and less inclination to connect with … Read more
The 1987 Constitution clothed the Office of the Ombudsman with such powers and ironclad autonomy that it may well be seen as the fourth branch of government — even if, by constitutional design, it is not. Run by individuals of unassailable integrity and irrepressible courage, this office could effectively function, when everything else fails, as … Read more