Climate finance: A call to action for the Philippines

Co-written with Jayvy Gamboa If climate-vulnerable developing countries such as the Philippines carry these common positions on the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance, then we expect that the outcome in Baku, Azerbaijan, will be robust In international climate negotiations, 2024 is the year of climate finance. Much attention at the upcoming 60th sessions …

Balangay Stories

THE book “Balangay stories” is a collection of five short stories about the exploits of a family in the Kingdom of  Butuan. Published by Xavier University Press and written by Maria Elena Paulma, with illustrations by Ghrn Brivan. It is one of the best books I have read in the last few years. A short book …

The Holy Spirit, our defense lawyer

“During challenging moments, with challenged bodies, broken hearts, and unquiet minds, the Holy Spirit acts as our guiding light” LAST Sunday, Catholics celebrated the feast of Pentecost, also the anniversary of the birth of the Church. The Gospel on Pentecost Sunday recounts the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear …

Understanding COVID-19’s impact on society

“The Draconian approach taken by the Philippine government has given all of the negative effects and none of the possible positives” The economic and social disruptions from the pandemic have been devastating, with tens of millions at risk of descending into extreme poverty. TO SAY the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the world is …

Freedom of speech in our times

“The dialogue between freedom of expression and the sanctity of judicial proceedings will undoubtedly continue as more media outlets transmit more messages in the age of digital communication” THIS is the last of four columns on the Badoy case. I wrote this series with my colleague Ally Munda from LVZ Law. Going back to the …

Unprotected speech by Badoy

“Freedom of speech, while sacrosanct, finds its limits at the doorstep of responsibility” THIS is Part 2 of the series I began last April 27 on a decision by the Supreme Court penalizing former Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy for attacking a Judge. Now, what exactly did Badoy say? While the Supreme Court decision reproduced significantly more …

Our Good Shepherd

“Each one must be the Good Shepherd to everyone as part of the human race even if we are different in many ways” IN THE Gospel of John, Jesus employs the powerful imagery of a shepherd tending to his flock to illustrate his deep connection with his followers. He asserts he is not just a …

Senator Saguisag, my hero

“Saguisag devoted every moment of his life until the very end as a human rights defender, representing the poor and the oppressed” “IT MEANS a great deal to those who are oppressed to know that they are not alone. Never let anyone tell you that what you are doing is insignificant.” – Desmond Tutu. This …

Social media and limits of protected speech

Co-written with Ally Munda While the right to freedom of expression is guaranteed, not all speech is constitutionally protected. When speech is wielded in a weaponized way, it cannot be protected. Free speech in the context of criticizing or disagreeing with judicial decisions is a rich topic and a question that the Court has had …

Badoy’s red-tagging and freedom of expression

Co-written with Ally Munda Lorraine Badoy’s exercise of her right to have an opinion gravely overstepped the bounds of what is allowable. She called for violence against Judge Magdoza-Malagar and family. What happens when two cornerstone rights of our democratic society seemingly come into conflict? Freedom of expression, including the right to free speech, is …