Posted on May 22, 2012
Students of the University have, at least at one point in their academic lives, gone to the Main Library to do some research or to simply immerse their selves in the glorious antiquity of the structure and of books of the Library. The Main Library houses multiple floors of knowledge on the arts, sciences and history. It is situated right in the middle of the University, as the mind of an intellectual institution is at its very heart.
One thing I like most about this Library is the sculpture outside of its halls, of a man on one of his knees, back bending backwards, with hands firmly clasped against his chest. It is a gesture of a man so enamored with his learning, so engrossed with the knowledge, so devoted to his academics that he cannot help being in awe and looking to heavens for guidance and/or gratitude. Such an intellectual discipline he must have gone through to have his whole being tightly formed, passion contained, all emotions leaving him agape. And all of his being exclaimed in the silence of his devotion when he knows just enough to know he knows but a miniscule of what is to know.
Posted on May 18, 2012
I accompanied my mother to the Quezon City Hall today for some house errands. Less than 30 minutes in the area, I felt nauseated due to the pollution and the heat. The trip to the tree-canopied UP Diliman was a breath of fresh air. I really hope that the rest of the country be as clean and refreshing as the Diliman Campus.
As the jeep I was riding drove past the Palma Hall, I saw a group of individuals assembling. A rally is a usual sight in the Campus; what made this one different was that there was just so much color and energy. Since I had my camera with me, I knew it was a good opportunity to take pictures.
As it turned out, it was an LGBT rally organized in reaction to the statements made by Miriam Quiambao and Manny Pacquiao regarding homosexuality and homosexual acts.
Miriam has been quoted to have said that
“Homosexuality is not a sin but it is a lie from the devil. Do not be deceived. God loves gays and wants them to know the truth.”
Later on, she apologized
“I’m sorry LGBT. Perhaps I was too harsh with the words I used. Will do my best to be more sensitive.”
Manny, on the other hand, alleges to have been misquoted when news came out that he made reference to the Bible in response to the issue of gay marriage. Manny is said to have quoted the verse
“If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”
He eventually issued a statement that
“I am not angry with gays but I don’t want them to sin against the law of God because homesexual offenders cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. I was talking about same sex marriages. … I am not against gays and I have relatives who are gay. There is nothing we can do about having such relatives but what I don’t want is for them to disobey what God has ordered.”
From the legal point of view, Miriam and Manny committed no crime nor civil offense.
There is no cause of action for the LGBT community since there is no legal right violated and no legal injury suffered. It is hard to claim that a specific individual has been injured by the broad statements of Miriam and Manny, since these are addressed to no one in particular. They are not attacks against identified personalities; rather are expressions of opinion regarding philosophy, religion, and practice.
As such, there can be no criminal case for libel nor slander. Libel or slander can only be committed against individual reputations. Philippine jurisprudence provides that where a statement is alleged against a group, the statement made must be so sweeping as to apply to every individual in the group, or sufficiently specific so that each individual in the class can prove that the defamatory statement pertained to him. In another case, the Supreme Court ruled that
“In group libel, the defamation of a large group does not give rise to a cause of action unless an individual can prove that he was the target.”
Likewise, the LGBT community cannot invoke the rights to privacy, substantive due process, nor equal protection of the laws. These provisions of protection are included in the Constitution as a safeguard against abuses by the government and not against abuse of rights by individuals. It is the Civil Code that governs individual actions and interactions. Relief is provided against abuse of rights under its Human Relations and quasi-delict provisions; but still, unless a person proves that he has been legally injured by the statements of Miriam or Manny, a case cannot be made. In the statements made, there is no meddling with a private life, intriguing to cause another to be alienated, nor vexing or humiliating another on account of beliefs. Again, no one is specifically addressed nor attacked.
Neither can the LGBT community nor the State restrain Miriam’s and Manny’s freedom of expression. The words uttered do not create a clear and present danger that will bring about substantial evils. Neither is there a direct incitement to lawless action.
Simply, there is no legal obligation for Miriam and Manny to speak out or to shut up. Any restraint should come mostly on their part- their own judgment and discretion. There might be a moral or a natural obligation to respect other’s beliefs, but disbelief is not legally actionable.
What then does the current interest in LGBT issues make? It should be applauded. At the very least, there is some discussion happening. There is an opportunity to thresh out issues and gain a better understanding of all stances. There is an active free market of ideas where meaningful exchanges can happen. People are interested. People are talking. The topic is no longer taboo.
Homosexuality has been an age-old issue. Well, not an issue really, but more of a fact dismissed and denied for the longest time. To see people involved is a breath of fresh air. I really hope that the rest of the country be as open and refreshing as Diliman.
Posted on April 13, 2012
Camille and Welga’s favorite pasta stall
Posted on February 10, 2012
Area 2 is hands down the best food place in UP!
Posted on December 23, 2011
These are among the books I loved reading/browsing while I was studying in the Main Library of UP for my accounting exams. In its pages, I fell in love with Gustav and Rodin.
Posted on December 22, 2011
One of the reasons why I love the General Reference section of the UP Main Library.
Posted on December 14, 2011
One thing (of the many) that I love about this semester is that I do not have any super late classes; such, I get to go home before the sun sets. And having reckoned that I need to move my lazy body, I walk a kilometer to the gate of UP. The walk is worth the sweat though. Just look at what I pass through during my afternoon walks. A slice of easy living within the University.
Posted on December 10, 2011
“When I was around 12 or 13 years old, I read an article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer written by a bar topnotcher UP Law Grad whose name I had forgotten. I remember reading it and thinking, wow, I want to be that kind of lawyer from that kind of law school. This afternoon, while attending a forum, it dawned on me that the UP Law Grad was my professor.”
Dreams do come true at UP Law. And even if not all the professors are bar topnotchers, all of them are topnotch.
Posted on November 19, 2011
UP Law at 100
Honor. Excellence. Leadership. Service.
Posted on November 6, 2011
The season that crosses law graduates over the brink of insanity has officially begun- oh, bar examinations! The most feared and yet the most anticipated rite of passage by all aspiring lawyers, the bar examinations is welcomed pain and agony. But more than doom, it is salvation. It is the summation of all four and a half years of hard work and a lifetime’s worth of aspirations.
Go UP Law! 100% on the 100th year!
Posted on October 19, 2011
The UP College of Law has more than its fair share of brilliant legal minds. Most of the professors are the best in his/her field of practice. They do not just teach us to be good lawyers; they teach us to be good citizens. They do not just impart to us the black letter law; they show us how we can shape the nation through the justice system. They teach us to be critical, not to be “myopic” and “parochial”.
But amidst all the brilliant minds, some still manage to stand out.
Dr. Desierto, she is not just a great lawyer and an admirable academician. She is likewise an inspiring professor. Primus inter pares. She is enough of a reason to go to UP Law.
So if you happen to be in UP Law and are lucky enough to have the chance to be under Dr. Desierto, by all means, give her all your bid points. Her course is anything but easy, but as she says “You are here because not everyone else can. It is hard because not everyone can do it.”
Note: This was an e-mail reply from her when I sent her the class pictures. :D
