Posts

From the Founder of the SES: The Philosopher as an Instrument of Grassroots Democracy

-
Image
  By Dr. Romulo Bautista Philosophy teachers from various schools in Mindanao have organized themselves into a Social Ethics Society, in order to help solve and/or bring the moral aspect of socio-political-economic problems for solution to political leaders of Mindanao. The Social Ethics Society laments the fact that the elite leadership of democracy in Mindanao has not done enough to improve the socio-economic fortune of the poor in the rural and in the urban areas. In terms of real income, the poor are even poorer today than they were in previous years. Empty of moral component, the political leadership of the elite few is passed from one elite group to another elite group. Contrary to the republican vision of our Constitution, the elite leaders used their delegated authority from the voters who are mostly poor, to further their vested interests at the expense of the best interests of the poor. It is time for Social Ethics Society to teach, educate, and enlighten voters at the gr...
Read more

Francis Jeus Ibañez: A Radical Theory of Democracy

-
Image
  By Francis Jeus Ibañez I am exploring a theory of democracy that is based on the Philippine context through its own madness. It is not the radical democracy as explained by Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc. Instead of Chantal Mouffe, I will use Jacques Derrida in what I consider as a radical approach to democratic theory. Derrida in his post modern approach rejects any foundation. This decentering means we move the fulcrum away from a central figure. In Philippine society and in Maboloc's case, former President Duterte. His critics are also wrong for insisting on strictly appropriating Mouffe. The Philippines has a different context.  Maboloc's approach is being questioned for misappropriating radical democracy. But one has to admit that given the context, his approach can be considered as a radical theory of democracy. Dr. Ian Clark Parcon enjoins Jurgen Habermas to explain Mouffe's agonism and find a middle ground between dialogue and struggle.  But I beg to differ from b...
Read more

A Christmas Reflection

-
Image
By Christopher Ryan Maboloc  The Story of Christmas tells us that there was no available room at the inn that night. Jesus was born in a manger. What is the message of this? It means that for some, if not many, the heart remains closed. Love has no place in the way they treat others. The reasons can be many, but the reality is that we only listen to our own voice, or are too caught up in the ways of the world wanting to achieve success or our own happiness, so that we fail to see the pains of those who are hungry.  In short, people cannot love because they can be selfish. Sometimes, we only think of ourselves. We don't or perhaps refuse to see the suffering of other human beings. We are too eager in our own quest for fame, money, and power. In this way, we forget that when we turn away the poor, the needy, and helpless, we are also turning away Christ. Christ, to paraphrase Emmanuel Levinas, is the face of the other. He is the orphan, the widow, the homeless, the victim of cor...
Read more

The Madness of Philippine Democracy

-
Image
By Francis Jeus Ibañez  During the 1st Bohol Island State University Research Colloquium, I successfully defended my paper on the madness of Philippine democracy. I drew my thoughts from Nietzsche, Foucault, Derrida, and Freud. In the context of Philippine democracy, I reflected on the highly contested radical democratic theory of Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc, which critics largely misinterpret. I reckon that what we need right now, given the many calamities our country suffers, is a type of radical action. Politics is not meant to serve the higher 20% of the population but the lower 80%, which means that those who label Duterte's policies and politics as popolism actually miss the point. Duterte represents the struggle of the Bisaya, especially those from Mindanao. Asked by Dr. Ferdie Mangibin about the relevance of the work of Maboloc, I said that it is not about him but what he wrote. It is about how Philippine democracy has been turned upside down so that liberals can no longer...
Read more

Climate Change and Corruption

-
Image
By Dr. Romulo Bautista  The lack of stricter environmental standards compounded by lack of stricter enforcement was evident in the Philippines during Typhoon Ondoy that caused massive damage to properties and massive loss of human lives. After many disastrous and catastrophic typhoons, climate change is now a growing national concern in the Philippines, especially after the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda. [People are now beginning to realize its effects on their lives and the future of this country. - Eds]  Climate change is a two-fold phenomenon. For lack of adequate descriptions, one phenomenon might be described as “natural and constructive”, which is intrinsic in the nature of existing realities and is regulated by the laws of nature. The other phenomenon might be described as “man-caused and destructive”, which is extrinsic to the nature of realities and is regulated by ethical laws legislated by man. The Kyoto Protocol  In 1997, industrialized countries agree...
Read more

In Defense of Kiko Barzaga

-
Image
  By Christopher Ryan Maboloc, PhD  Congressman Ronnie Puno has filed a case in the Ethics Committee against Congressman Kiko Barzaga for what the former says is a conduct unbecoming of a member of the House of Representatives. Puno alleged that the young lawmaker has put the institution in a bad reputation, citing the behavior of the former like barging into the office of Cong. Sandro Marcos to campaign for the speakership, posting obscene images on social media, sharing memes that put the Speaker, Senate President Tito Sotto, and other public officials in a bad light, including what Puno believes is a case of "inciting to sedition."  For instance, in reference to what happened in Nepal, Barzaga said "huwag nyo munang sunugin ang Congress may privilege speech pa ako sa Lunes." Puno also insinuates that Barzaga suffers from a "behavioral or mental problem", without of course mentioning it. Barzaga was late for the scheduled Ethics Committee hearing on the ...
Read more

War on Gaza comes to an End

-
Image
By Christopher Ryan Maboloc, PhD  Today, October 13, 2025, two years and six days after Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and kidnapping more than 250, resulting to the War on Gaza that killed 67,120 Palestinians, the remaining 20 hostages were released by Hamas after a ceasefire was in place a day before. Israel, in turn, will also release more than 1,719 Palestinians in detention since the war erupted. The State of Israel and Hamas agreed to the truce largely based on the 20-point plan laid down by US President Donald Trump, who is in Israel today to speak before the Israeli Parliament and the families of the freed hostages. He was welcomed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this morning at the Ben Gurion International Airport. The effect of the Gaza war and subsequent genocide is beyond imagination. With the cessation of the Israeli bombardment, relief operations will start, with 600 trucks of food, fuel, and medical supplies entering Gaza according to aid agencies. The war...
Read more