At the request of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, I represented our country in the recent Asean Law Association (ALA) “Inaugural Lecture Series on Gender Justice” in Kuala Lumpur, sponsored by the Malaysian Supreme Court. It was keynoted by ALA President and former Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat (CJ Maimun)….
The year 2025 was confronted by an avalanche of news—some historic, many scandalous; some factual, others plainly fake. Including this piece, I have written 52 columns this year, each one a mental exercise in updating with current events, in critically cross-checking sources, and in verifying facts. According to the 700-page “Digital 2026 Report by Meltwater…
Last Monday, I argued that without enforcement, accountability weakens and impunity thrives. Dynasties endure not because corruption is hidden, but because exposure carries little to no cost. The problem is not the existence of political families, but whether our institutions are well designed to contain them. I will now address three questions: how anti-dynasty laws…
In the Philippines, politics is a family business. The numbers are staggering. Political dynasties hold more than 65 percent of all public elective positions, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies. Last week, I wrote that dynastic nuances would endure (see “Why dynasties endure,” 12/8/25), but still I submit that dynasties can be contained…
From the ravages of the flood control scams emerged certain surnames, names not too difficult to identify given their long histories of influence and power. Some 38 years after the 1987 Constitution solemnly vowed (in Article II, Section 26), “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as…