Only a few more days are left before your historic Bar Examinations this February 4 and 6, 2022. You will make history in so many ways. Yours is the first nationwide Bar Exams; more than 400 of you are scheduled to take it in Panay Island, particularly at the Central Philippine
February 3, 2022
We are now going through the motions of the most participative of all democratic processes. While the campaign period for the 2022 elections has not yet started, candidates and their supporters are already going around, either in person or thru media, to win the support of the people. We may not
December 17, 2021
By Jose Mari Tirol “The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself”, is a popular adage credited to St. Augustine. Ironically St. Augustine didn’t really say or write this. Furthermore, the truth isn’t always capable of persuading people on its own (Horn. No, the
November 11, 2021
By Jose Mari Tirol I have always been fascinated by the Basques. My late maternal grandfather, who was one of them and came to the Philippines in the 1920s when he was in his 20s, said his people are “ang mga Ati sang España”. Yes, he spoke Ilonggo and witnessed various eras of Philippine history,
October 2, 2021
By Dean Jose Mari BFU Tirol As we recall and strive to never forget the declaration of Martial Law 49 years ago and its aftermath, let us also turn our attention to certain unfolding events which, even at this early stage, are already being subjected to historical revisionism. I refer to the President’s March 15,
September 24, 2021
By Dean Jose Mari Tirol It was on this day 49 years ago that a man announced that he had signed a decree two days prior, placing the Philippines under Martial Law. Thus began his formal process of perpetuating himself in power through “legal” means, i.e. rule by law. His heirs have a singular goal:
September 23, 2021
By Jose Mari Tirol It is said that the personal is political. Sara’s supposed open letter on her Tatay and Bong Go’s candidacy, and the latter’s response, are political master strokes. These evidently spring from just one playbook, and from just one script. Their statements make them more relatable, more within our reach, more “human”,
August 30, 2021
By Atty. Jose Mari B.F.U Tirol (The author is the dean of the College of Law of the University of San Agustin) In his last SONA, the President again taunted the International Criminal Court, and called on Congress to pass a law that would provide free legal assistance for law enforcers and military personnel. Does
July 30, 2021
By Atty. Jose Mari B.F.U. Tirol (The author is the dean of the College of Law of the University of San Agustin) One of the first things that we usually do when meeting relatives or in-laws for the first time, is to get to know each other by asking about whose child we are, where
July 26, 2021
By Atty. Jose Mari B.F.U. Tirol (The author is the dean of the College of Law of the University of San Agustin) Certain kinds of food fill our bellies as well as nourish our psyche. They are like time machines that transport us to earlier times and remind us of the events, the places, and
July 19, 2021
By Atty. Jose Mari BFU Tirol (The author is the dean of the College of Law of the University of San Agustin) Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III recently questioned the need for licensure examinations and recommended the abolition of the licensure examinations for nurses, dentists, and engineers, and the bar examinations. A day later (July
July 9, 2021
By Jose Mari B.F.U. Tirol The recent passing of former President Noynoy Aquino can, in a sense, be considered as sudden and unexpected. While it appears to be the outcome of his longstanding ailments, the general public, and apparently the government itself, were not privy to their gravity. It will take time for the pundits
July 1, 2021