Very grateful to PLJ for publishing this. It's a long read, but the summary is that while there are conflicting views, an accountability-based reading of the PH Constitution requires impeachment to proceed, allowing the people themselves to evaluate the case for/against VP Duterte.

Subject to a longer piece, I have deep concerns with the OSG’s claim that it can refuse to defend if it disagrees with the position of the current gov’t. The OSG is its statutory counsel. So if at all, the decision not to defend should come from the client, not the lawyer. 1/2

Enjoyed writing this with @sosyolohija.bsky.social (with much encouragement from @rosselle.bsky.social). Hoping this opens a discussion on an often neglected aspect of the current impeachment saga—one beyond the legalese—i.e., its shifting function in Philippine democracy.

Wrote this impeachment primer with Nick Castro ‘25, Jill Chua ‘26, Jules Espino ‘26 and Ardy Mercado ‘26. Grateful for UP Law’s encouragement and helpful feedback of colleagues. Hoping it contributes to more informed discussions on the PH political drama of the season. Link: uplaw.ph/impeachmentp...

Nothing wrong with celebrating new lawyers. But if we have Court-centered ceremonies, complete with year-long virtual brand campaigns, are we still celebrating the admission of new lawyers or something else? I think it’s a fair question to ask.

This would have been an email in New York. (Which would have prevented the accidental posting before a, most respectfully, unnecessary press conference; word spreading among examinees; withdrawing the posting; causing anxiety to those who saw the result/got word, etc.)

The PH Supreme Court’s intent-based standard for plagiarism is a bigger threat to academic/rsch integrity in law schools than AI. In this piece now on Hein, I revisit the Vinuya saga to argue for prohibiting plagiarism for efficiency-based reasons. Thanks to the PLJ for publishing my views! 1/2

Interesting (and heartening) piece from my colleague Bruce Ackerman www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/t...

Why do non-Americans care about US elections? In Quezon City PH, classes are cancelled for the nth time this term due to severe weather—the most I remember. Climate change is worsening inequalities in countries that contributed the least to it. But oh no the price of eggs and male loneliness

📺 "Emerging Forms of Propaganda in Elections" -- with presentations by Carlos Affonzo Souza, Grant Fergusson and Sinta Dewi Rosa (not recorded), moderated by @pstamase.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=AitQ...

We're so excited to host our Propaganda and Emerging Technologies conference next week! Join us for discussions on hate speech, misinformation, manipulation, electoral influence + more Friday April 5 - Saturday April 6, 2024 Program and registration: law.yale.edu/isp/events/p...

Great read from Akshat Agarwal. Students of conlaw who have seen maximalist-minimalist swings in their own apex courts can draw a lot of insights from this. Also a good reminder that judicial review has a different dynamic in the majority world—and even within, it varies widely.